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The Life and Work 

OF THE 

Reverend G G Peirce 



Charles Elmer Up tori 



PLACERVILLE, CAL, 
Charles Elmer Upton, Publisher 





KEVEREN 



ND C. C. PE1RCE, RECTOR OF THE CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR 



THE LIFE AND WORK 

OF 

THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

A TRUE FOLLOWER OF JESUS 

BY 
CHARLES ELMER UPTON 



"No man can serve two masters: for 
either he will hate the one, and love the 
other; or else he will hold to the one, 
and despise the other. Ye cannot serve 
God and mammon." 

(Sermon on the Mount, Matthew, 6: 24,) 



PLACERV1LLE, CAL. 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 

MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT PRESS. PLf CERVIL'-E 

1903 



•?>; 



:\vt 



I THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 



I Tv 



Two Copies Received 

I JUN 15 !903 

J Copyright ; Entry 
j CUSS 0u XXc. No 

I rutr! 

1 COPY«g„j?^ 



Copyright, 1903, 
By Charles Elmer Upton. 



J.?? rights reserved. 









LC Control Number 




tmp96 031674 



PREFACE. 

It is beyond the power of human speech adequately to 
portray the real character of so God-like a man as the 
Keverend Charles Caleb Peirce. The outward life, as seen 
in the daily acts of loving kindness, wisdom and forbear- 
ance, may be shown with some degree of fidelity; but the 
soul-essence, the innate, intangible quality that made the 
man what he was, can no more be put into words than we 
can unravel the mysteries of eternity. 

Throughout his entire career: in the wealthy city taber- 
nacle; in the humble church he built near the home of his 
choice; in each little wayside chapel; in the schools and 
educational councils; or in the halls of the various frater- 
nal societies of which he was an honored member; — 
throughout all he was the same fearless, kindly champion 
of Right, the same faithful disciple of the lowly Carpen- 
ter of Nazareth. 

It may be that I have presented certain truths regarding 
Mr. Peirce's parishioners in a way that will hardly please 
some of my readers. But I have no apology to offer; I 
have simply stated facts; had I written with less candor 
and sincerity, I should have been dishonoring the name of 
a man whose whole life was a constant battle for Truth 
and Justice. 

I hereby acknowledge my indebtedness to the following 
persons and to all others who have assisted me with infor- 



mation, advice, and the use of photographs and other 
materials: Mr. James Peirce of Cincinnati, 0., and Mrs. 
Wm. Mode of Coatesville, Pa., brother and sister of the late 
Reverend C. C. Peirce; to his niece, Mrs. John A. Johnson, 
Covington, Ky. ; Mr. H. B. Mackoy, secretary of the Liter- 
ary Club of Cincinnati; Bishop Moreland of Sacramento; 
Mrs. D. W. Gelwicks of Oakland; Miss Alice Bailey and 
Messrs. Wm. Bland, C. H. Weatherwax, Shelley Inch, Sr., 
M. Mayer and A. S. Bosquit, all of Placerville. 

No claim is made to literary finish. The book has been 
written hurriedly, without revision, to satisfy the demands 
of the printers and the public. The few typographical 
errors were, because of the necessary haste in printing, 
unavoidable. 

With this brief introduction and acknowledgment, I 
reverently lay my humble tribute of love and respect be- 
fore the shrine of that modern Samaritan, whose own 
beautiful, consecrated life is his grandest epitaph. 

Charles Elmer Upton, 

Placerville, California, May 30, 1903. 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. Early Boyhood , „ . . „ 1 

II. In His Brother's Household *'*'.** 6 

III. Literary Associations , . , 12 

IV, Preparing For a Career ....... 19 

V. The Ministry and California . , , . . 24 

VI. From San Francisco to Placerville . „ . 29 

VII. The First Year In El Dorado . .... 35 

VIII. The New Church .....,.., 40 

IX. Later Days In Placerville ...... 44 

X. The Schools and Fraternal Societies ... 68 

XL The Pilgrim's Staff . , . 74 

XII. Sickness 80 

XIII. The Valley of the Shadow . . , , 87 

XIV. At Rest . . 92 

XV. InMemoriam 113 

Appendix: Marriage Records, etc., 125 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Reverend C C. Peirce> Rector of The Church of Our 
Savior . , Frontispiece 

C. C. Peirce at 25 Years of Age , ,4 

The "Church of Our Savior." > , > 40 

Reverend C. C. Peirce, "The People's Pastor" . , 76 
Last Photograph of The Reverend C. C, Peirce m . 84 
At Rest , . ,,.... 112 



LIFE AND WORK 

OF 

THE REVEREND C. C PEIRCE. 
CHAPTER I. 

EARLY BOYHOOD. 

On the old Peirce homestead in Chester county, Penn- 
sylvania, is a tablet bearing the inscription: 
"J. R. P., 1732." 

These initials stand for the names of Joshua and 
Rachael Peirce, the earliest paternal ancestors of Charles 
Caleb Peirce of whom anything definite is known. The 
grounds adjoining the homestead were at one time laid 
out as a park and were called "Peirce Park." Here the 



2 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

general public was made welcome every day except Sun- 
days, and picnics were of frequent occurrence. A small 
artificial lake was on the premises, and trees were planted 
in long rows, making a very picturesque spot. These 
trees, and also the bricks in the family dwelling, were 
brought over from England. 

Thomas Peirce, the father of Charles Caleb Peirce, was 
born in Chester county in 1786. During early manhood 
he taught school, and afterwards graduated as a physician, 
but never practised. During the greater part of his life 
he was an iron and hardware merchant. He was a man of 
marked literary ability and was represented in the book, 
"Poets and Poetry of the West." The son, Charles, evi- 
dently inherited much of the father's linguistic and de- 
scriptive powers. 

Elizabeth Neave was born in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, 
England, in the year 1796, and came to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
in 1814, a year after Thomas Peirce had traveled from 
Pennsylvania to Cincinnati on horseback. They were 
married in 1815. 

Both Thomas and Elizabeth Peirce belonged to the 
Society of Friends, or Quakers, though the husband at- 
tended the Baptist church in after years. He was one of 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 6 

a famous coterie of literary men identified with the early 
history of Cincinnati. 

The first two children born to Thomas and Elizabeth 
Peirce were Samuel N., born 1816, and Alexander N., in 
1818. Following came three daughters who died in in- 
fancy. Charles Caleb Peirce was born Nov. 2, 1825, Pris- 
cilla P. — now Mrs. Wm. Mode — in 1881, and James in 
1834. Last of all came another daughter, Julia, who died 
in childhood. Priscilla and James are the only living 
members of the family. 

Charles Caleb Peirce very early displayed a decided 
fondness for literature. Books were his constant com- 
panions. And still he was a natural boy, delighting in 
gymnastics and out-door exercise. Often, disdaining the 
protection of an overcoat, he would, on cold winter morn- 
ings, walk for miles over the hills before he had even had 
breakfast. 

He was always a good, conscientious boy and was uni- 
versally popular among his associates. Love of small 
children and pets was a prominent characteristic. He had 
none of that innate savagery which impels the average 
boy or man to find enjoyment in hunting and similar 
cruel pastimes. 



4 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

Let us in fancy carry ourselves back to those early days 
and see the boy as he really was. Here we find him in the 
schoolroom, intent upon his books, doing his best in open, 
kindly rivalry to excel his schoolmates. Then the bell 
taps, and he is out on the playground, a leader among his 
fellows in all manly, boyish sports. When school is ended 
for the day he hurries home, ready to help in any of the 
little chores that are necesssary even in a crowded city 
dwelling. But the best of all is on a Saturday afternoon, 
when his work is done and he may spend the time as he 
likes. Then, with some favorite book under his arm, he 
hurries to a city park, or, better still, out into the country, 
where, in some shady nook, he is soon dreaming of another 
world. So absorbed is he in the story, that time is a 
blank to him until the shrill blasts of a distant factory 
whistle bring him back to reality. 

Ah ! if that happy, care-free boyhood could have lasted 
into eternity ! But that could not be. In 1844 a cruel 
awakening came. The mother died, and the home was 
thus darkened by the bitterest sorrow which any human 
being may realize. Six years later the father went, the 
family broke up, and the children drifted apart, Charles 
going to live with a married brother. In after years, 




C. C. PEIRCE AT 25 YEARS OF AGE 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. TEIRCE O 

when the boy himself, grown old, was nearing the "silent 
sea," how true must have seemed the lines he so often 
quoted from his beloved Whittier: 

"O Time and Change ! with hair as gray 

As was my sire's that winter day ! 

How strange it seems, with so much gone 

Of life and love, to still live on! 

Ah, brother ! only I and thou 

Are left of all that circle now,^ — 

The dear home faces whereupon 

That fitful firelight paled and shone !" 



CHAPTER II. 

IN HIS BROTHER'S HOUSEHOLD. 

The new home in which Charles now found himself 
served to bring out most clearly one of his strongest and 
most lovable traits — fondness for children. Elizabeth, the 
little one of the household, thus wrote of her uncle 
years afterward: 

"My first gifts were from him — a small set of French 
china and a tiny silver thimble, which I still possess, after 
having them a half -century." 

Elizabeth was born in 1851, and during the five years 
of her uncle's sojourn with the family spent a great deal 
of time in his cheery, happy presence. We can well 
imagine how delightful and how uplifting the sweet com- 
panionship of the artless child was to that bookish, yet- 
most human young student, and how fortunate was the 
little one whose life was permitted to unfold under such 
thoughtful and tender guardianship ! 

"Uncle Charlie", as he was called, left an imprint upon 
the mind of this innocent little niece that has endured, 



THE LIFE \ND WORK OF THE REVEREND 0. C. PEIRCE ( 

even as in later years his kindly words and deeds have left 
hundreds of other children a heritage to be carried into 
eternity. 

However arduous his studies, little Elizabeth was always 
welcomed to his room. Even his precious books were not 
too good for her. He would put a pile of the treasured 
volumes upon the floor, and there the child would play for 
hours in quiet contentment, as oblivious to the outside 
world as was the young student poring over his books at 
a nearby desk. When Elizabeth's mother remonstrated at 
his placing the books in such jeopardy, Charles would 
answer, 

"They are in no danger. And I want Elizabeth to be 
familiar with books. I am sure she will be careful with 
them if she is taught to be so." 

What a scene for the artist is that cozy, old-fashioned 
room! At his desk the young uncle sits, perhaps deep in 
the intricacies of an involved algebraic or geometrical prob- 
lem; or mayhap pondering over some puzzling question 
in philosophy; or probably reveling in the deeds of the 
immortal few r whose names are ever an incentive to greater, 
nobler things. Again, likely he has climbed to the high- 
est peaks; is following blind old Homer through those 



b THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

deathless songs; is breathing into life the glowing imagery 
of the Book of Psalms and the Song of Solomon ; is lead- 
ing the way over hard-fought fields, listening to mighty 
statesmen of old, basking in Beauty's smiles, and living in 
truth the "old, old story," with the peerless Bard of xlvon 
Such is the uncle. And there, at his feet, is little Eliza- 
beth, her winsome, childish face aglow with happiness. 
See ! she is building a house — a fairy castle, no doubt, as 
she has not yet entered the romantic period of childhood. 
An "Unabridged Webster" makes a solid and most satis- 
factory foundation for the edifice. A volume of "The 
Pilgrim's Progress," a copy of "Paradise Lost," and per- 
haps a tome of Dante's and a novel of Dickens constitute 
four walls, and the first story is complete. Various books 
of smaller bulk and less weighty contents furnish material 
for the upper floors, and the marvelous palace grows 
steadily skyward until it is on a level with little Elizabeth's 
head as she sits upon the floor beside this wonderful 
creation of her nimble fingers. Does she dream that she 
is some dreadful ogress biding her time to pounce upon 
and devour the little prince and princess within the castle ? 
No, no ! her gentle spirit recoils from such a thought. 
This is an elfin dwelling, where only the fairies of good 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE ^ 

deeds may dwell; and no wicked ones would dare approach 
so sacred a presence. Truly the beings with which the 
child's innocent fancy peoples this fairy mansion are 
lovelier than all the Titanias that ever danced through the 
brain of a Shakespeare ! 

But while little Elizabeth is living in that mystic land 
where all children linger so long as the bloom of inno- 
cence is unblighted, the uncle is in still another world, far 
away from the scenes of his day. All ages have rolled 
into one; he holds converse with the great minds from 
every century since time began; seers, poets, philosophers 
are his comrades. 

But hark ! a shrill, childish wail, and the spell is broken 
Another fairy castle has fallen, little Elizabeth is bemoan- 
*ng a wounded finger, and the student uncle is administer- 
ing the infallible remedies for all childish griefs — caresses 
and soothing words. It is really miraculous how speedily 
a cure is effected. Then comes a merry romp around the 
room, and, if the weather permit, a dash out of doors. 
Happy laughter resounds, and all is well again ! 

During the early 'Fifties a bathroom was an uncommon 
luxury. There was none in his brother's house until such 
a room was added at Charles' request. It was arranged 



10 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE EEVEEEND C. C. PEIECE 

for cold water only. Frequently the tub was filled with 
water in the evening, in order that it might be in readiness 
for the morning plunge. And many a time, in cold 
weather, Charles had to break through a thin coating of 
ice before he could take his daily bath. 

He took many long tramps, particularly on Sunday 
mornings. On such occasions he wore neither overcoat 
nor gloves, nor would he carry an umbrella, however nec- 
essary such protection might seem. Evidently he chafed 
under any burden which detracted from the enjoyment of 
those exhilarating walks. 

Even in those early years the future minister was very 
thoughtful of the welfare of others, particularly the help- 
less ones who alwa} T s needed aid and comfort. To him 
Christmas and Easter were the great festivals of the year, 
and he believed that on such days every living thing- 
should be made happy. In his brother's household were 
two cherished pets, a cat and a squirrel. On his favorite 
holidays Charles never failed to remember these two, and 
purchases of steak and dainty nuts were made for their 
especial benefit. Surely in all this we can see the action 
of that divine spirit which afterward sustained this man 
throughout his wonderful mission in the shadow of the 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 11 

rugged Sierras; a mission of love, faith and hope, that put 
to shame the narrow, un -Christ-like creeds of the modern 
orthodox church, and proved Charles Caleb Peirce worthy 
of a place beside his Master. 



CHAPTER III. 



LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS. 



Mr. H. B. Mackoy, the present secretary of the Literary 
Club of Cincinnati writes thus regarding Charles Caleb 
Peirce : 

"Unanimously elected to membership in the. Literary 
Club, March 23, 1850." 

From the records we learn that Mr. Peirce was present 
at sixty-seven meetings of this association between April 
27, 1850, and February 21, 1852. He was elected Vice- 
President of the Club March 22, 1851, and he acted as its 
President April 12 to May 10, inclusive. 

The Club's catalogue, issued in 1890, contains the fol- 
lowing introduction: 

"The Literary Club was organized on Monday evening, 
October 29, 1849. A preliminary meeting at the rooms of 
Mr. Spofford had agreed upon a general plan and appointed 
a committee to draft a constitution. Subsequently the 
Club became a corporation under the general laws of 
the state. 

"The weekly meetings were at first held upon Monday 



THE LIFE \XD WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 13 

evenings. In December, 1849, Saturday became, and has 
since remained, the Club night. 

"The Club met first in the rooms on the southwest cor- 
ner of Vine and Longworth streets; then in Gundry's 
Commercial College rooms, in the old Apollo Building, on 
(he corner of Fifth and Walnut; then over Gordon's drug- 
store, on the corner of Eighth and Centra Avenue, in the 
school rooms of R. H. Stephenson; then over the book 
store of Dr. Weed, on Fourth street, betw r een Main and 
Walnut; then in the law school rooms in College Building; 
then, for several years, beginning September, 1855, in the 
Morselle Building, on Seventh street near Vine; then in 
rooms over the old engine-house at No. 60 East Fourth 
street; then again in the Morselle Building; then in the 
room on the third floor of the Apollo Building; then tem- 
porarily in the rooms of the Bar Association, in the Cin- 
cinnati College Building; in September, 1875, it removed 
to No. 239J West Fifth street, where it remained until 
October 30, 1880, when its present quarters at 24 West 
Fourth street, which had been especially modeled for the 
needs of the Club, w r ere occupied. 

'The membership has always been limited to a certain 
number. This, at first twenty-five, was changed in 1851 to 



14 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF THE BEVEBEND C. G. PEIECE 

thirty, then to thirty-five, and in 1853 to fifty. With some 
variations in the mean time, in 1873 it was fixed at eighty, 
and in 1875 at one hundred. 

"On April 15, 1861, at a called meeting, the Club formed 
a military company, the Burnet Rifles, for purposes of 
drill. Subsequently fifty members entered the army. 
This resulted in a suspension of Club meetings from 
October 8, 1862, until February 19, 1864. 

$z >J< >j< %. ■%. ■%. %. 

"During the past decade, the Club has so amended its 
constitution to allow the election, to honorary membership, 
of gentlemen who have contributed to the Club's enter- 
tainment and support as regular members, and whose 
career or Club connection the Club, by unanimous vote? 
decides to be deserving of such distinction. 

THOENTON B . HlNKLE, 

Chables B. Wilby, 
Kabl Langenbeck, 

Committee. 
Cincinnati, September 8, 3 890." 

In this association of broad-minded, scholarly men C. C. 
Peirce was in his element. Throughout his long, useful 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 15 

life good literature was probably his chief source of in- 
tellectual enjoyment. He had two loves — his Master and 
his books. Christ's work was his labor, a labor of sacri- 
fice in which he never faltered while body and soul held 
together. And literature was his unfailing means of re- 
laxation, the one form of amusement he allowed himself 
in those brief periods of leisure he somehow managed to 
find in that arduous, unceasing routine of prayer and 
toil and study. 

That such a man would play a leading role in the new 7 
club was to be expected. The secretary w r rites: 

"He (C. C. Peirce) took part in the debates on several 
occasions. Three of the subjects were: 

"1850, July 12 — 'Are Our Free Institutions in Danger 
From Catholicism?' He maintained affirmative. De- 
cision: Members in favor of affirmative; Chair, negative. 

"1850, Nov. 23— ' Are Secret Societies Consistent with 
Free Institutions f He (C. C. Peirce) maintained negative- 
Decision: Members, affirmative; Chair, negative. 

"1851, Jan. 14— 'Is American Slavery Right?' C. C. P. 
maintained affirmative. Decision: Members and Chair, 

NEGATIVE." 

In justice to his subsequent life, it would be interest- 



16 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. G. PEIRCE 

ing to know whether C. C. Peirce voiced his inmost con- 
victions in these debates, or whether he was simply taking 
the parts assigned him as a member of the Club. If he 
stood for his own beliefs, then truly we encounter some 
facts oddly at variance with the man's true character, and 
others so rational and so entirely in harmony with his real 
self that we can account for such evident contradictions 
only by charging them to the natural indecision of youth. 
His stand on the question of church and state was thor- 
oughly characteristic and in keeping with his views in after 
life. Ever}' sane, observant person, whose mind is untainted 
by prejudice, must foresee the grave consequences sure to 
follow the interference of any church, Catholic or Protestant, 
in the political affairs of a free nation. His decision in the 
"Secret Society " debate was diametrically opposed to his 
later opinions on such subjects. That he defended Ameri- 
can slavery in debate we must ascribe either to youthful- 
ness or to innate love of intellectual argument. We 
cannot concede that a man of such high moral worth, 
whose mind had attained maturity, could deliberately give 
utterance to so un-Christian and inhuman a sentiment. 
According to the Club records, it appears that C. C. 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 17 

Peirce read the following essays before the members: 

July 27, 1854 — "Character of the Scholar." 

Feb, 6, 1851— Title not given. 

July 19, 1851— "The Relation of Art to Religion." 

Contemporary members of the Club, then private citi- 
zens, but afterward filling the positions indicated, were: 

Rutherford B. Hayes, President of the United States; 

George Hoadly, Governor of Ohio, 1883-85, and dis- 
tinguished lawyer of New York City; 

Ainsworth R. Spofforcl, Librarian of Congress; 

Thomas C. H. Smith, Brigadier-General, United States 
Army; 

John W. Herron, distinguished lawyer of Cincinnati, 
and father-in-law of Hon. William H. Taft. 

On February 21, 1852, Charles Caleb Peirce severed all 
active connection with the Literary Club of Cincinnati. 
The following entry concerning his resignation appears in 
the minutes of that date: 

"The Society listened to the proposition with evident 
dissatisfaction, remembering the promptitude which had 
always characterized the services of the gentleman — his 
entire devotion to the best interests of the Club." 

It was but natural that such an association of intelligent, 



18 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

educated men should see in C. C. Peirce a kindred spirit 
whose departure from the Club was universally regretted. 
But while he toot no active part in the subsequent meet- 
ings, he was the recipient of fraternal greetings from the 
Society throughout his career; and when his loving,kindly 
voice was hushed in the eternal silence, by none w r as he 
mourned more sincerely than by the Literary Club of 
Cincinnati. 



CHAPTEE IV. 

PREPARING FOR A CAREER. 

From the elementary schools of his native city, Charles 
had gone to a higher local institution, Woodward College, 
where he graduated and immediately began the study of 
law. He completed the law course before he had attained 
his majority, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme 
Court of Ohio as soon as he became of age. 

So gentle a nature as his could not long endure the 
fierce contentions, the bitter rivalries, the sordidness and 
the countless other immoralities of the court-room. He 
soon gave up the work. In doing so, he stated emphati- 
cally that he acted solely from a conviction of duty; and, 
furthermore, that he had concluded he could be of fat- 
more benefit to his fellow-men in a nobler and vastly dif- 
ferent calling —the Christian ministry. 

Accordingly in 1856 he left his brother's home and went 
to live with his sister, Priscilla — Mrs. Mode — in Chester 
county, Pennsylvania, while studying his chosen pro- 
fession. 



20 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

What conflicting emotions must have beset the young 
man as he went forth to prepare for the new life ! On the 
one hand the domestic side of his nature, one of his 
strongest traits, surely cried out against quitting the 
hearth where he had formed such deep and lasting attach- 
ments. How regretfully he bade farewell to the older 
members of the household ! And how little Elizabeth 
clung to him, tearfully imploring him not to go, but to 
stay with them "always !" Dear child ! had she realized 
the truth, had she known that this parting was a last 
good-by, her grief might have been inconsolable. Al- 
though "Uncle Charlie" lived many happy and fruitful 
years, he and little Elizabeth never met again on earth. 

But with Charles Caleb Peirce duty was always first- 
Ease, luxury, all the ties of kindred and of friendship 
must be sacrificed, rather than he should swerve a hair's- 
breadth from the pathway which led him onward in the 
ways of righteousness. The Master had called, and he 
must obe} T . 

In later years Mr. Peirce sometimes spoke of the one 
influence which more than all others had decided his final 
choice of a career — his mother. "When a boy," he was 
wont to say, "I was like most boys, thoughtless, selfish, 



THE LI1-E \ND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 21 

thinking only of pleasure; and I doubtless paid little 
attention to her loving counsel; but I remembered after 
she was gone. All I have accomplished of good is due 
to her." 

Noble words ! and how truly descriptive of that subtile 
force which has dominated, consciously or unconsciously, 
every life that was ever worth the living. 

Sustained by his faith in the glorious mission that 
was his, doubtless this young disciple started upon the 
journey Eastward w T ith a heart that sang despite the sor- 
row of parting. The ride itself was interesting, being the 
first trip to a distance. And the sisterly greeting in the 
new home surely atoned in some measure for the associ- 
ations left behind. It had been only a few years since 
this brother and sister had parted; yet so much had hap- 
pened in that brief time ! Each had so many questions 
to ask and to answer ! The brother spoke of his studies 5 
the literary club, and his hopes and plans for the future- 
He told of little Elizabeth and his voice grew tender 
with emotion. The sister listened, interjecting exclama- 
tions and comments here and there. Then she related in- 
cidents in her own life that had occurred since the family 
had separated, dwelling at length upon the domestic 



22 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF THE EEVEEEND C. C. PEIECE 

matters which every true woman loves. So absorbing 
was the conversation that they talked far into the night, 
giving no heed to time until twelve vibrant strokes 
sounded warningly from the old clock upon the mantel- 
piece. 

But when the morrow dawned there was little oppor- 
tunity to dwell in dreamland. He had come to work, not 
to talk of what had been or what awaited him in the 
future. Soon he was again deep in his studies, bending 
every energy to the task that meant a career, perhaps 
a martyrdom, to him. He was as one entranced, listen- 
ing to the glowing eloquence of the wondrous prophets 
of old; hearkening to the words of wisdom and kindness 
that fell from the lips of the Master. Coming down- 
ward through the centuries, he walked with eminent 
divines — some whose kindly words and deeds were as 
Christ's Himself; others whose creeds of hate and of 
vengeance seemed the veriest mockery of Him whose 
mantle they wore. But our young student, in whose 
heart reigned the spirit of the true Christ, turned in 
horror from those ungodly ministers who strove to recon- 
cile Eternal Love with everlasting torture, and with joy 
heard from holier lips the message of Infinite Kindness 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 23 

and Mercy, unmarred by that cruel, abnormal doctrine of 
hatred, bred by the superstition of a barbarous, fa- 
natical age. 

As with the various books of theology, so it doubtless 
w T as with the fellows-students C. C. Peirce encountered in 
the General Theological Seminary in New York City, where 
he went to complete his course. He met men of liberal 
views together with those whose intolerance was truly 
pitiable. And our friend, whose religion throughout life 
w r as broader than his church, must have found some of 
the work in this school exceedingly distasteful. How- 
ever that might have been, he persevered in his studies ; 
and on July 1, 1860, was formally ordained in Trinity 
Church of New York City. Thus, w r ithin nearly five 
months of his thirty-fifth birthday, he was ready to take 
up the Cross he was destined to uphold throughout a 
lifetime. He started, clothed in the vestments of an es- 
tablished Church; but his heart w r as beating to the strains 
of a favorite singer: 

"Our Friend, our Brother, and our Lord, 
What may Thy service be ? — 

Nor name, nor form, nor ritual word, 
But simply following Thee I" 



CHAPTER V. 

THE MINISTRY AND CALIFORNIA. 

The quickness with which Charles Caleb Peirce stepped 
from the theological school into his chosen field of work 
shows his earnestness and sincerity of purpose. Ordained 
one day, the next he had taken up his burden and was 
speeding toward the scene of his future labors. 

California was his choice. He stated that there were 
always enough young ministers to fill the pulpits in East- 
ern cities, but comparatively few who wo aid leave home 
and friends for a new country. Therefore, as he himself 
was unmarried and free from domestic cares, he felt that 
his greatest opportunities for good lay in the Far West. 

It had been his intention to strive to benefit the more 
unfortunate of his fellow-men by the benevolent use of 
money. But sudden reverses had shattered that project. 
In his naturally impulsive way he had endorsed a number 
of notes at the requests of certain "friends." When the 
notes became due he was compelled to pay them, and in 
consequence was left with a very small reserve fund, On 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 25 

the clay of his departure for California, one of his brothers 
managed to collect a few dollars from the delinquent debt- 
ors, and brought the money to him shortly before the 
vessel sailed. 

This incident brings to mind a glimpse of probably the 
only romance in C. C. Peirce's life. So far as is known, 
he himself alluded to the matter but once in later years. 
He was visiting at the house of one of his parishioners in 
Placerville, California, the central town of his wonderful 
life-work. In conversation he casually spoke of a certain 
young woman in the East to whom he had been deeply at- 
tached, and who he at first thought had returned his af- 
fection. But he had broken up their intimacy himself, 
"Because," he said, "I concluded all she wanted was 
my money." 

Surely both his financial loss and his belief in the mer- 
cenary motives of the woman he loved, had much to do 
with his subsequent convictions on the subject of riches- 
And yet, despite the bitterness of the sacrifice, was it not 
all for the best? Had Charles Caleb Peirce met with no 
reverses in fortune and love, would he have ever realized 
the hollow mockery of Christian nations upholding forms 



26 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

of government directly opposed to Christ's teachings — 
governments that not only permit, but encourage, wealthy 
idlers to live by the economic bondage of the toiling 
masses ? Lacking that realization, how could he have be- 
come in the true sense, a disciple of the lowly Nazarene ? 

On July 2, 1860, the young minister took passage in a 
ship bound for San Francisco, via the Isthmus of Panama. 
It was on this vessel that he preached his first sermon 
after ordination. 

What an experience that must have been ! There, in the 
awful sublimity of that restless ocean, where God's hand- 
iwork was ever manifest, was it vouchsafed this young 
divine to utter his first message of brotherly love and 
counsel to his fellow-men. Surely the grandeur of his 
environment lent greater fervor to his tongue, and his 
voice rang out in such an eloquent, impassioned appeal 
that it seemed to his entranced listeners as if Christ Him- 
self were speaking through this man of God. And later, 
when he repeated so earnestly and so tenderly the old, 
familiar sentences of "The Lord's Prayer," many saw 
hidden beauties in those simple lines hitherto undreamed 
of. And when the last fervent "Amen !" sounded, all 
echoed the word with a reverence never felt before. What 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 27 

an hour that was, and how auspicious a beginning of a 
life of holiness that lasted nearly half a century ! 

With the long voyage, the interesting trip across the 
Isthmus of Panama, and the further sea trip along the 
coast, this narrative has nothing to do. It is enough to 
add that on July 25 the vessel sailed through the Golden 
Gate and entered San Francisco Bay. 

To say that C. C. Peirce was impressed would be utter- 
ing a truism. That is an emotion which comes to every 
stranger when he first enters that land-locked harbor and 
sees the "Queen City of the Far West" seated so majesti- 
cally upon her towering hills. It is not the countless 
buildings which attract. There are more and better houses 
in many another city in various parts of the world. But 
the eye is held by an indescribable blending of Nature's 
glorious works with the artificial creations of man — an 
ever-wonderful panorama of sea and sky with silhouetted 
masses of house-covered hills lying between. And even 
today, when you have walked or ridden along one of San 
Francisco's noisy, crowded thoroughfares, until you are 
tired in mind and body, you may go but a few blocks 
farther, up a neighboring hill-side, and behold ! on all 
sides is God's own wonderland, though you are still in a 



28 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

city street and the throbbing, bustling town is all about 
you ! It is this consciousness of Nature's presence which 
lends San Francisco a charm rarely found in a great com- 
mercial city. 

A poetic temperament like that of Charles Caleb Peirce, 
that was keenly alive to beauty in all its forms, must have 
held in memory a never-fading picture of that eventful 
first day on the California shore. 

Slowly the vessel moved into the dock, the gang-plank 
was lowered, and the rush began. The voyage was done, 
and the young apostle of Jesus w r as in the land where his 
life-w r ork lay. 



CHAPTER VI. 

MOM SAN FRANCISCO TO PLACERVILLE, 

When the Reverend C. C. Peirce became rector of Grace 
Church in San Francisco, he doubtless felt that he had 
found the place of his destiny. Here he was, a young 
man of vigorous body and intellect, in a new and grow- 
ing city wherein the possibilities for fruitful sowing of 
Christianity seemed unlimited. But alas ! he did not fore- 
see the countless stumbling-blocks which lie in the path- 
way of every conscientious minister who strays by mistake 
into the pulpit of that temple of sacrilege and mockery— 
a fashionable city church. For nearly eight months the 
young divine threw himself into the task with all the en- 
ergy of his nature, but the results were not encouraging. 
He was out of his element, and those splendid talents 
were simply being wasted in that alien atmosphere. 

At this juncture some of his parishioners ventured 
a suggestion. 

"You wish to succeed as a minister," they said to him. 
"All you need to do is to cultivate the friendship of the 



30 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCK 

wealthy members of your congregation; then your success 
is assured/' 

The young rector was horrified. Should he, whose 
Master had said, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon/' de- 
liberately crucify the Saviour anew in spirit by espousing 
the cause of His most cruel betrayers — the wealthy drones 
who daily violate the laws of Christian brotherhood ? 

"No V His soul itself spoke in that vigorous, in- 
dignant refusal. He resigned his pastorate then and there 
and began to look about for some spot w T here he might 
labor at will in the service of the Son of Man. 

He selected Placerville, a busy, thriving mining town 
up in the foothills of El Dorado county. No time was 
wasted in preparation. With C, C. Peirce, to decide was 
to do. Before many hours had elapsed he had started by 
boat for Sacramento, the State Capital. In 1861 there 
were no ferry and railroad lines connecting San Francisco 
with every important city in the Union. The Central 
Pacific Railroad, which a few years later joined the East 
and the West, existed then only in the minds of its pro- 
jectors. California could boast of but one railway, the 
Sacramento and Placerville line, extending from the Capi- 
tal City to Folsom, some twenty miles distant. 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE SI 

It was late in the afternoon of March 29, 1861, when 
our pilgrim stepped upon the deck of the small steamer 
which was to convey him to Sacramento. Despite his re- 
lief at leaving the scene of his unhappy experience, he 
must have felt some regret at seeing the sentinel hills of 
the city by the Golden Gate melt away in the distance. 
Night soon fell, and then came the dreariest part of all 
that long, tiresome voyage. While daylight lasted, there 
had been many objects of interest to attract the eye; now 
they were moving through a world of shadow, where 
hardly a sound but the churning of the boat-wheel dis- 
turbed the stillness. And the chill, moist air of the val- 
lev settled insistently down, penetrating to every corner 
of the cabin. The passengers took to their bunks early, 
and were soon oblivious to the discomforts of the voyage. 
In the early morning hours all were suddenly awakened , 
and dressing hurriedly, rushed out on the deck to find the 
lights of Sacramento twinkling before them. 

The boat steamed up to the wharf and C. C. Peirce 
quickly walked ashore and rode away to a nearby hotel, 
where he w r as soon in bed and asleep. Some hours later, 
after breakfast was over, he rode to the depot, procured 



32 THE LIFE AKD TVOBK OE THE REVEREND C. C. PEIECE 

his ticket, and in a few minutes had got aboard the train 
and was speeding toward Folsom. 

Little of interest was visible in the immediate neighbor- 
hood of Sacramento, Nothing but the vivid green of spring 
verdure broke the monotony of that vast stretch of plain. 
As the train drew nearer Folsom the country became more 
undulating, and by the time the little town was reached the 
passengers were fairly within the Sierra Nevada foot-hills. 

The Placerville stage awaited them at the depot, and the 
change from the comfortable car to the lumbering old ve- 
hicle was quickly made. A few minutes later C. C. Peirce 
was riding along a winding mountain road that seemed to 
grow more rugged as the journey proceeded. A short 
distance beyond Folsom the eastern boundary of Sacra- 
mento county was crossed, and the stage entered El Do- 
rado, the famous pioneer county of the State. 

And now the road became more and more narrow and 
precipitous, climbing up and up through forests of mighty 
pine and oak and spruce trees, around and down rocky 
hillsides where an instant of careless driving would have 
sent stage-coach, passengers and team to the bottom of the 
ravine hundreds of rods below; and all this time the oc- 
cupants of the clumsy, jolting vehicle were forced to hold 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 33 

on to the seats or to one another to keep themselves from 
being thrown against the hard wooden sides and top. For 
as the way grew steeper, the deep seams left in the road 
by the winter rains became more frequent and made travel- 
ing all the rougher and more perilous. Higher and 
higher loomed the hills, and larger and loftier were the 
trees as the stage clattered onward. Despite the constant 
rocking and lurching, it was truly exhilarating to be rush- 
ing along through that bracing mountain air, in the very 
heart of God's country. 

Frequent stops were made for the purpose of changing 
horses, and each time the driver paused to bandy w r ords 
with the men lounging near; and of course it was neces- 
sary to "stand treat" or to be treated before he could go 
on. At each of the numerous mining camps they entered, 
throngs of people were waiting for the ever-welcome mail. 
Countless heaps of gravel and unsightly gashes on the 
breast of Mother Nature attested the passion that had 
transformed this lonely wilderness into the liveliest min- 
ing region in America. 

Before long they came in sight of Placerville, the county 
metropolis, nestling among its pine-crowned hills. Shortly 



34 THE LIFE AND W0EK OF THE EEYEBEND C. C. PEIBCE 

afterward the stage rattled up a busy, crowded street and 
stopped in front of the "Cary House," a three-story brick 
structure and the leading hotel of the city. 

Charles Caleb Peirce was at last with his chosen people. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE FIRST YEAR IN EL DORADO COUNTY . 

In the early 'Sixties, Placerville, exclusive of Upper- 
town, according to a directory compiled by Editor Fitch of 
"The Placerville Republican," contained a population of 
5,000. At that time the crudeness of the pioneer days 
had nearly passed away, "lynch law" and other evidences 
of semi-barbarism having given place, in a great measure, 
to the comparatively refining accompaniments of civiliza- 
tion, so-called. However, the more modern types of bar- 
barism were still, and are now, very conspicuous. 

The Reverend C. C. Peirce lost no time in beginning his 
work in this most fruitful vineyard. He had arrived 
March 30. His own report, a year later, contains, in part? 
the following: 

"The Church of our Savior, Placerville; The Rev. C. C. 
Peirce, minister. 

"On March 31, 1861, being Easter Day, services were 
held in the Court-room, and thus a work commenced which 
we trust will be enduring. Morning service has been held 
each Sunday, and evening service also on the fifth Sunday 



36 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

in the month. Regular attendance, seventy-five. Num- 
ber of times services held on Sunday, fifty-six; on other 
days, six. In the afternoon the minister conducts a meet- 
ing for children, intended to supply the place of a Sunday- 
School and Bible class. Selections from the Prayer Book 
are used, and the Gospel history is taught in a familiar but 
systematic way. A library has been purchased and chil- 
dren's papers procured. Fifty children attend. In July 
a parish was organized, "The Parish of Our Savior," and 
two wardens and eight vestrymen elected. The musical 
parts of the service are appropriately and effectively per- 
formed, and we are under many obligations to the choir 
who have so freely and so faithfully given us their aid." 

The "Mountain Democrat," the pioneer newspaper of 
the county, a publication then owned by Gelwicks and 
January, thus chronicles the church work during 1861: 

March 30.— Kev. C. C. Peirce of the Protestant Episco- 
pal church, (late of Grace church, San Francisco), will hold 
service at 11 o'clock a. m. on Easter Sunday, March 31, at 
the Court House. All members and persons friendly to 
the church are requested to be present." 

April 6. — "The Kev. Mr. Peirce preached in the Court 
House last Sunday to a large and intelligent audience. He 



THE LIFE AND WORE OF THE REVEREND C. C. jPEIKCE §7 

commences his labors in this city, we are informed, under 
the most favorable circumstances. He will preach in the 
Court House again to-morrow." 

Ma} T 25. — "Ladies' Festival for benefit of the Episcopal 
Church Society. Amount realized, $125.75." 

June 1. — "Episcopal Church and Sunday School.— The 
minister in charge of the Society of Episcopalians here, 
Mr. C. C. Peirce, is untiring in his efforts to do good. He 
not only conducts the service regularly in this city, but also 
attends to the charges at Coloma and Diamond Springs, 
alternate weeks. In addition to this, he acts as Superin- 
tendent of the Sabbath School, and is gradually gathering 
around him a large circle of the youth of both sexes, be- 
longing to our city and its surroundings. The Sunday- 
School has now a library of some 200 volumes, and will in 
a short time be doubled." 

July 20. — "Episcopal Parish. — A parish has been organ- 
ized in this city, according to the rules of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church. The name adopted is, 'The Parish of 
Our Savior,' Placerville. Officers elected: Senior Warden, 
P. R. Rockwell; Junior Warden, Robert White; Vestry- 
men: F. F. Barss, Benjamin Meacham, E. B. Carson, Dr. 
I. S. Titus, Charles Broad, James Phipps, W. R. Rockwell 



38 THE LIFE AND WORK OE THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

and R. R. Naines. The Vestry elected E. B. Carson sec- 
retary, and Robert White treasurer, of the Parish." 

While the good work was going on here, the outside 
towns were not neglected, as the following quotation from 
Mr. Peirce's report attests: 

"Emmanuel Church, Coloma; El Dorado, Diamond 
Springs. The Reverend C. C. Peirce, Minister. 

"Coloma. — Services have been held in our church edifice 
on the first and third Sunday evenings in each month. 
Regular attendants, fifty. Services on Sunday, twenty; 
and once on Christmas. For two years previous, no min- 
ister had officiated here. There seems now to be a grow- 
ing interest in our worship, and we hope to see this 
beautiful church building — -the only one we have in this 
county as yet — filled as in former years by a zealous 
congregation. 

"El Dorado. — On the second and fourth Sunday even- 
ings in each month the service has been held in the meet- 
ing house. Regular attendants, sixty. Number of times, 
nineteen. In December a parish was organized called "St. 
Stephen's Parish," and two Wardens and fixe Vestrymen 
elected. An efficient choir conducts the music, There is 
every prospect of the permanency of our church work here. 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 39 

"Diamond Springs. — In September our worship was com- 
menced in the Hall, and has been continued on the second 
and fourth Sundays of each month, at 4 o'clock p. m. Num- 
ber of times, twelve. Regular attendants, forty. Here 
also there appears an opening for our church." 

Then the following summary appears: 

"Parishioners in the four congregations" (that is, Placer- 
ville, Coloma, El Dorado and Diamond Springs,) "two hun- 
dred and twenty-five. Communicants, about twenty-five. 
Total Sunday services, one hundred and seven; other days, 
seven. Marriages, two; baptisms, six infants; funerals, 
eighteen. 

"Our work in this field has been self-supporting, no 
pecuniary aid having been asked or received from without 
it. On four Sundays our services were prevented by causes 
beyond our control," 

Thus closes Mr. Peirce's report for the year ending 
March 30, 1862; truly a wonderful record for one hu- 
man being in a land of strangers — a record that was a 
fitting commencement of a life spent in doing the 
Master's bidding. 



CHAPTER VIIL 

THE NEW CHURCH. 

Several years had elapsed before any plans for the 
building of an Episcopal Church began to take definite 
shape. The services of the Placerville parish were still 
held in the Court House. But on June 4, 1864, "The 
Mountain Democrat" announced: 

"The ladies of the Episcopal Church will hold a fair in 
Confidence Pavilion on the Fourth of July. The pro- 
ceeds are to be devoted to building a house of worship.' 5 

The outcome was evidently encouraging, for on May 12, 
1865, appeared another notice: 

"Festival and Concert. — The ladies of the Episcopal 
church of this city will give a Festival and Concert at Con- 
fidence Pavilion on the evening of the 23rd, 24th and 25th 
of this month, the proceeds of which will be devoted to 
the erection of a church for the congregation. The intel- 
ligent and amiable pastor of the congregation has labored 
assiduously and successf ully in the cause of religion. He 
has organized a large and growing congregation, they need 
a church, and we hope all will assist to supply that want." 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 41 

On May 27, "The Mountain Democrat" announced the 
result in these words: 

"The Festival given by the ladies of the Episcopal 
church this week for the building fund was highly satis- 
factory to them and to their patrons. The total pro- 
ceeds were $1200." 

Sometime before this the Presbyterian Church on 
Coloma street had been destroyed by fire. The vacant 
lot was purchased by the Episcopalians, and work was be- 
gun straightway. Nearly a month later, June 22, the 
corner stone of the new church was laid amid imposing 
ceremonies. The "Mountain Democrat" thus described 
the event: 

"On Thursday last El Dorado Lodge No. 26, F. & A. M. 
laid the corner-stone of the "Church of our Savior" in 
this city — W. Caldwell Belcher, Grand Master of the 
Grand Lodge of the State of California, officiating. Rev. 
Wm. H. Hill of Sacramento delivered the address; Rev. 
C. C. Peirce, the prayer." 

That every effort was made to complete the building as 
quickly as possible is shown by a clipping from the same 
local paper we have quoted: 

December 23, 1865. — "The, opening of the new, elegant 



42 THE LIFE AND WO^K OF' T&E REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

and beautiful Protestant 'Episcopal Church on Coloma 
street will take place this, Saturday evening, with the an- 
nual distribution of books by Rev. C. C. Peirce. On Sun- 
day morning the usual services will be given at half-past 
ten o'clock, and continued every Sunday following. The 
dedication of the church will not take place until the 
church is completed, which will probably be in a few weeks. 
Due notice will be given of the time." 

But the work was evidently delayed, for it was not 
until April 14 of the following year that this announce- 
ment appeared: 

"Consecration and confirmation at half-past ten o'clock 
to-morrow (Sunday) morning, the Right Reverend Bishop 
Kip of San Francisco will consecrate the new and elegant 
Episcopal church on Coloma street, and also at the same 
time hold confirmation service. The new church edifice 
was designed by Wm. Patton, architect, of San Francisco, 
and built by Mr. O. Taylor of this city. The building, 
completed, cost about $10,500." 

The task was done, and the Reverend C. C. Peirce had 
at last a temple of his own, one that was destined to be- 
come the centre of a greater sanctuary where there wor- 
shipped, in unfeigned reverence, the people of an entire 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 43 

county, regardless of sect or creed. At the dedication of 
that house of God, how well the young rector might have 
sung with the immortal Whittier: 

"Suffice it now. In time to be 

Shall holier altars rise to thee, — 

Thy Church our broad humanity ! 
"White flowers of love its walls shall climb, 

Soft bells of peace shall ring its chime, 

Its days shall all be holy time. 
"A sweeter song shall then be heard, — 

The music of the world's accord 

Confessing Christ, the Inward Word ! 
"That song shall swell from shore to shore, 

One hope, one faith, one love, restore 

The seamless robe that Jesus wore." 



CHAPTER IX. 



LATER DAYS IN PLACERVILLE . 



A history of Mr. Peirce's life during the ten years suc- 
ceeding his arrival in Placerville would of necessity be 
mainly a repetition of church and social events as noticed 
superficially by the county newspapers, and therefore 
would show too little of the real man to be vitally inter- 
esting. But on Sunday evening, July 21, 1872, the Rev- 
erend C. C. Peirce delivered in the Church of Our Savior, 
a sermon on "The Evangelical Work of Charles Wesley" 
which is particularly valuable in that it gives a very clear 
idea of his mode of religious presentation during the 
last thirty years of his life. 

It must be remembered that this sermon was wholly ex- 
temporaneous, as indeed were the most, if not all, of his 
sermons. That fact accounts for the frequent repetitions 
of certain words and phrases. Mr. Peirce spoke as follows: 

"David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was 
raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord 

spake by me, and his word w r as in my tongue ! 

(II Samuel, 23: 1-2.) 
"The greatest work of the Holy Spirit since the Bible 
was finished is the composing of those most inspiring and 
spiritual of all Christian hymns, which have reached mil- 
lions of hearts; which speak to the experience of millions 
of souls; which have been thought over in the closet, in 
communion with God; sung in public w r orship; and which 
will last as long as the human race. 

"I consider this w^ork as next to the Bible, universal, 
enduring; the only w 7 ork which approximates at all to it 
in its universal power are these great hymns. They are 
the work of the Spirit, testifying to its acceptance, and 
acknowledged by the heart, and witnessed to in the needs, 
hopes,* longings of the soul. And those most effective, 
and the greatest, which last as a power in the spiritual 
world, are those who have spoken and written these hymns 
of exaltation. Of all these, those most inspired and most 
effective were written one hundred years ago by Charles 
Wesley. 

"Last Sabbath w r e noticed the work of his brother, John 
Wesley, wdio the greater part of his life of ninety years 
bore his testimony to the witness of the Spirit in the soul, 
as opposed to the spirit of formality and coldness by which 
he was surrounded in the English church. We saw how r 
he sought out especially all those who had never heard 
such truths, and who had hitherto been neglected. We 
saw how effective that work was, not speaking of its par- 
ticular power, — which it took in later years, that being 
really unforeseen by him, and probably unintended — *but 



46 THE LIFE ASD WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C, PEIRCE 



in its other relations. He lived and died a member of our 
Church; lived and died in its communion, meeting little 
enough sympathy there; yet he cherished for it a strong 
affection, which at first almost took the form of bigotry, 
and he always retained that intense affection. We may 
think of him, then, in this way; and in the second way as 
the originator of that great, onward, evangelical move- 
ment which recognized religion as the work of the soul 
and the heart, desiring to know and receive the Savior; and 
going forth all zeal to reach all those who w r ere neglected. 

"The present vital state of religion's all-inspiring work, 
v\ e may say had its first impulse from John and Charles 
Wesley. It is now known and acknowledged by all that, 
while John possessed the faculty for organizing and shap- 
ing and conducting his religious work, Charles Wesley 
wrought no less a woik, by being the inspired author of 
these matchless hymns. 

"John Wesley was born in 1703 and died in 1791. His 
brother Charles was born six years later and died a few 
} ears later; so they wrought together the greater part of 
half a century. His biographers speak of Charles as a 
humble, patient, plain man, an itinerant preacher traveling 
ail the time, stopping now and then on his way to write 
a verse of those hymus which were to become the heritage 
of Christendom. And in none but his hymns do we find 
so great a degree of exaltation. 

T like often to read the leading hymns of the best sa- 
cred poets, such as Watts, Doddridge, Newton and Heber, 
and the more recent ones, such as Bonner and other estab- 
lished writers, as the work of the Spirit; bat the works of 
Charles Wesley are elevated above ail others, in that which 
testifies to the presence of the Holy Spirit. They bear 



THE LIFE A.ND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 47 



^vituess to the power of the Gospel in the heart of the 
one who is speaking — not as a theory, but as feilia^ and 
experience. They are not merely expressed in beauti- 
ful w T ords, but enter into the life and lay hold of the inner 
experience. They are the expression of that which is felt, 
but could not be expressed by any ordinary Christian. 
They come from the heart and go to the heart. They are 
filled w T ith an exaltation which lifts them above the plane 
of all other sacred poems; and I always think I can tell the 
hymns of Charles Wesley by this peculiar spirit of exaltation. 
"In Doctor Watts — w T ho is the best of all other sacred 
poets — there is the want of this fervor which you find in 
Charles Wesley. I have been accustomed to say that 
since the Psalms of David there has never been anything 
like them as a revelation of the evangelical spirit — that 
spirit which God has promised to all those that ask. In 
reading them, we realize how we may be led by the Spirit, 
and God's words are brought in a living way to the mind. 
Wesley wrote so many hymns that it will be impossible 
now to notice more than two or three. We may call them 
a spiritual autobiography. He had known and felt all 
that he speaks of; and they cover also a great range of 
thought; there are indeed but few subjects he has not 
touched. There are hymns for the family, the birthday, 
days of rejoicing, days of mourning; hymns which touch 
upon all the events of life,and show a spiritual insight into 
human life to which no others have attained; and are also 
records of all his own experience. * * He sings of it in 
his hymns w T herever he journej^ed, and into whatever new 
place or house he entered. Whatever the event of life he 
wrought it into- his hymns; and writing thus for half a 
century, how could he but be the most complete and vivid 



48 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



religious poet of ail ? We have not time to dwell upon 
those specially suited to our church, but many of our most 
beautiful hymns are his. Our Easter hymn, 'Christ the 
Lord Has Risen Today/ our Advent hymn, 'Hark the Her- 
ald Angels Sing,' aud the Ascension hymn, 'Our lord is 
Risen from the Dead,' and very many others, were all the 
work of Charles Wesley. Most earnest and touching is 
that one beginning. 'Depth of mercy can there be;' also 
that one beginning, 'Sinner turn ? why will ye die ?' and 
that beautiful one which we have just sung, 'Jesus, Savior 
of my Soul.' So we may go on selecting, and find them 
all choice, all full of spiritual elevation which lifts them 
above all others. Not only are they the hymns of the 
heart, but superior as the best forms of poetry. 

"All we can do at this time is to notice a few of these 
poems — the sublimest of all, the extreme, I think, that has 
been attained by Christian poetry; majestic, such as Mil- 
ton and Shakespeare could not have excelled had they 
written upon these subjects. They are the perfection of 
spiritual song, reaching as far into the Infinite as human 
thoughts and words can. They have always been the 
chief est arid choicest productions, after the Bible, to me; 
and no other writings but the Bible have been so profitable 
to myself. This one, which I now read, reaches, perhaps 
more than any other, the utmost sublimity of expression, 
not excelled or attained by either Milton or Shakespeare: 

*' 'FREE GRACE.' 
" ' 'Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies ! 

Who can explore His strange design? 
In vain the first-born seraph tries 

To sound the depths of Love divine. 
'Tis mercy all ! let earth adore; 
Let angel-minds inquire no more. 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 49 



11 'He left His Father's throne above, 

(So free, so infinite His grace ') 

Emptied Himself of al! but Love, 

And bled for Adam's helpless race; 
'lis mercy all, immense and free, 
For, O my God, it found out me ! 
" 'Long my imprisoned spirit lay, 

Fast bound in sin and nature's night: 
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray; 

J woke; the dungeon flamed with light; 
My chains fell off, my heart was Lee, 
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. 
" 'Still the small inward voice 1 hear 
That whispers all my sins forgiven; 
still the atoning Blood is near 

hat quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven. 
I feel the life His wounds impart, 
I feel my .-avior in my heart. 
" 'No condemnation now I dread, 
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine: 
Alive in Him, my living Head, 

And clothed in righteousness divine, 
Bold I approach the eternal throne, 
And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.' 

"Then here is another hymn which though expressed 
almost in the words of Scripture, shows that the poet 
knew it all in his own soul, having embodied in it the very 
witness of the Spirit, 'Father, If Thou My Father Art.' 
11 'Father, if Thou my father art, 
Send forth the Spirit of Thy Son; 
Breathe Him into my panting heart, 

And-make me know as I am known: 
Make me Thy conscious child, that I 
May 'Father, Abba Father,' cry ! 
" 'I want the Spirit of power within, 
Of love, and of a healthful mind; 
Of power, to conquer inbred sin; 



50 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. 0. PEIRCE 



Of love to Thee and all mankind; 

Of health, that pain and death defies, 

Most vigorous when the body dies. 

" 'When shall I hear the inward voice. 
Which only faithful souls can hear? 

Pardon, and peace, and heavenly joys 
Attend the promised Comforter. 

He comes ! and righteousness divine, 
And Christ and all with Christ is mine ! 

" 'O that the Comforter would come ! 

Nor visit as a transient guest, 
P.ut fix in me His constant home, 

And take possession of my breast. 
And make my soul His loved abode, 

The temple of indwelling God ! 

" 'Come, Holy Ghost, my heart inspire, 

Attest that I am born again ! 
Come, and baptize me now w'th tire, 

Or all Thy former gifts are vain. 
I cannot rest in sins forgiven; 

Where is the earnest of my heaven ? 

ht 'Where Thy indubitable zeal, 

That ascertains the kingdom mine ? 

The powerful stamp I long to feel, 
The signature of Love divine; 

O shed it in my heart abr ad, 
Fulness of love, of heaven, of God !' 

"And here is also ' A Morning Hymn.' I have recalled 
it mentally, I think, every morning for many years: 

" 'Christ, whose glory fills the skies, 

Christ, the true, the only Light, 
Sun of Righteousness, arise, 

Triumph o'er the shades of night: 
Dayspring from on high, be near; 

Daystar, in my heart appear. 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 51 



" 'Dark and cheerless is the morn, 

Un accompanied by Thee; 
Joyless is the day's return, 

Till Thy mercy's beams I see; 
Till they inward light impart, 

Glad my eyes, and warm my heart. 

4C 'Visit then this soul of mine; 

Pierce the gloom of sin and grief; 
Fill me, Radiancy divine; 

Scatter all my unbelief; 
More and more Thyself display, 

Shining to the perfect Day.' 

"There is one other, perhaps the most marked, the most 
singular ever written ; also displaying the greatest spiritual 
power, especially dear to all who have known what it is to 
struggle after God, and the longing to have His help. It 
is descriptive of the wrestling of Jacob with the Jehovah 
angel: <Come ; O Thou Traveler Unknown/ 



"We shall only have time to notice partially this one, 
which has also been considered very perfect by critics as 
being original and full of complete resignation to the 
will of God : 

" 'THY WILL BE DONE.' 

" 'I have the things I ask of Thee; 
What more shall I require ? 
That still my soul may. restless be, 
And only Thee desire. 
" 'Thy only will be done, not mine, 
But make me, Lord; Thy home; 
Come as Thou wilt, 1 that resign, 
Bat O, my Jesus, come !' 



52 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. REIRCE 



"We have time for but one more of these great hymns, 
which is perhaps the most perfect of them all, the bright- 
est in its strain of feeling and its view of Heaven; for it 
is as if he actually stood upon its verge; and it is surely 
the highest expression of exalted religious feeling attain- 
able. With this poem we must close for this evening our 
recollections of this poet: 

" 'COME, LET US JOIN OUR FRIENDS ABOVE.' 

^: ^ >J< >j< >|< 

"Were anyone to ask me what I considered the most 
powerful influence in our Church, I would point, not as 
some would, to the lords or bishops of England, or her 
stately cathedrals, but I would say, Charles Wesley, who 
w r as inspired by the Holy Spirit, who lived and died in 
our Church, the author of such hymns; and thereby proved 
that there must have been in its worship and its com- 
munion much of vital, true, religion. 

"We will close by singing the hymn, 'Come, Let Us Join 
Our Friends Above.' " 

To those who have heard the Reverend C. C. Peirce 
address them from the pulpit, a printed report of his 
w r ords is disappointing. There was an intense earnest- 
ness, a fervor, which lent a charm to the spoken discourse 
that cannot be conveyed to the reader. The man's very 
soul seemed infused into every word he uttered. It 
has been often remarked by both friends and strangers 
who have listened to any of his Sunday morning services 



THE LIFE AND WOHK OF THE KEVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 53 

in the Church of our Savior, that as he stood behind the 
pulpit, every fibre of heart and brain vibrating in those 
matchless outpourings of Christ-like eloquence, the sun- 
light, beaming through the stained-glass windows and 
falling upon the rapt, upturned face and the stately robes 
of service, gave this kindly rector an appearance of saint- 
liness that was indescribable. But it was not alone in the 
church that his power was felt. On public occasions, 
where his assistance was asked oftener than that of any 
other clergyman in El Dorado county, much the same 
effect was noticeable. His impressive Fourth-of-July 
prayer was always a grateful change from the stereotyped 
platitudes of the "orator of the day" and the hysterical 
school-girl rendering of the much-abused "Declaration of 
Independence." You instinctively felt that amid all this 
furore of patriotism (?) his was the one sincere, unostenta- 
tious voice. 

But it was in his relations with children that Charles 
Caleb Peirce, like his Master, showed one of his most 
beautiful moral attributes; for, in common with his 
beloved Whittier, the most truly poetic of all American 
singers, this gentle pastor retained the child-soul, unsullied, 
throughout a life-time. This fact explains the strong hold 



54 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

he had upon the minds and hearts of hundreds of little 
ones. However the older folk might come and go, the 
sweet, confiding friendship of the children never wavered. 
If you entered the Church of our Savior during the Sun- 
day-School hour, }^ou did not find a pompous rector whose 
very presence was a constant check upon childish artless- 
ness, but you found instead a happy family wherein a man 
of scholarly mind and child-like heart w T as the guiding 
spirit. 

In the Sunday-School, as elsewhere, this man was a 
centre from which the light of cheerfulness radiated. He 
seemed always content. In gloomy weather there were 
always special exercises which served to make the children 
forget the dismal outer world. There were rainy-day 
songs and rainy-day recitations. The 10th and 11th 
verses of the 55t'r chapter of Isaiah were repeated. 
"Green's Hist3ry of England," a favorite of his, was often 
read from and made the subject of interesting talks. The 
following verse was frequently repeated by the children: 

"Be with us at our table, Lord, 
Be here and everywhere adored. 
Bless Thou our food and grant that we 
May feast in Paradise with Thee." 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE DO 

And the "Children's Prayer 1 ', written by Mr. Peirce 
himself, was a general favorite: 

"Dear Father in Heaven, we thank Thee, that Jesus 
came on earth, to save us from badness, and lead us to 
Heaven. 

"We remember how He was a little Child in Bethlehem's 
manger; how He lived in His Nazareth home, the loving 
Son of Mary; how he is not ashamed to be a Brother with 
us; how He went about doing good, even to those who 
acted badly to Him. 

"We are thankful that for us He died on the cross and 
rose from the grave. 

"Help m 3 to call Him my Saviour, and to be truly his 
follower. I must give my heart to Him and so keep from 
bad thoughts, bad words and bad acts, help my father and 
mother, and be kind to everybody. 

"Give me a heart to listen to the Gospel about Jesus 
and to do what it says. May all my friends be friends of 
the Saviour. May all persons be like true brothers and 
sisters to each other, and love God, the Father, Son and 
Holy Spirit with the whole heart. So may we all meet in 
Heaven and be forever with the Lord. Amen." 

On the first Sunday of each month the "Good Shepherd" 
Psalm was repeated in chorus, and during the last three 
years the hymn, "Jesus Loves Even Me," w T as always sung 
by the children. 

To children and parents probably the exercises of great- 
est interest were those given on Mr. Peirce 's favorite 



5(5 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

holidays, Christmas and Easter. In both these entertain- 
ments the children themselves took the leading parts. 
Following is the customary Easter program: 

Offertory Rev. C. C. Peirce 

Song."The Children's Glorious Friend, "Sunday School 

Prayer and Remarks Rev. C. C. Pierce 

Recitations 

Bible Verses 

Song Sunday-School 

Recitations 

Song Sunday-School 

Bible Verses 

Song Sunday-School 

Recitations , 

(Collection taken up) 

Two verses of Hymn 

(Reverend C. C. Peirce gives out books and cards as 

gifts to the children, and talks) 

Last verse of Hymn 

Benediction 

The order of exercises at Christmas was somewhat the 
same. And it may be interesting to know that the song, 
"Carol, Brothers, Carol," was sung at Mr. Peirce's first 
Christmas entertainment in Placerville and also at his last 
one. At both Christmas and Easter this unselfish friend 
of the people always gave away pretty cards and valuable 
books to hundreds of children and to many older people 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 57 

wherever he preached throughout the county. Nothing 
hurt him more than to learn that through forgetfulness 
even one child had been unintentionally slighted. During 
the forty-two years of his life in El Dorado county he 
spent more than $17,000 for these holiday gifts alone, to 
say nothing of the sum expended in numerous acts of 
charity. 

Is it any w 7 onder that the children loved this man with 
a fervor almost akin to adoration, and that they refuse to 
accept anyone else in the same spirit ? 

At times 0. C. Peirce was misunderstood by people w T ho 
knew him only superficially. He was a profound student, 
ancf often, w r hen deep in meditation, would meet and pass 
friends in the street or along the highway as if he were 
wholly unconscious of their existence, as indeed he w T as. 
This trait of the scholar frequently caused this kindliest of 
mortals to be cruelly misrepresented, When he was not 
engrossed in thought, his cheery, heart-felt greetings 
brought happiness wherever he w r ent. The weather 
never worried him; in rain or in sunshine, whether the 
mercury stood at 16° or at 110^, to him it w r as still a "fine 
clay" or a "model day." God willed it so, and it was all 
for the best! 



58 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE KEVEEEXD C. C. PEIRCE 

But the trait which above all else attested his true 
nobility of character was his attitude of toleration toward 
his fellow-mortals. Seeing their faults,, but passing them 
by, he always found some innate virtue, however small, 
that to him was the essence of divinity. His life-long 
habit of thus standing aloof from the evil and seeking 
only the good in his erring brethern made this modern 
world seem a realistic Garden of Eden to him. In what 
marked contrast to such a Christ-like being is that 
common reveler in filth — a malicious gossip; that self- 
appointed censor of other people's morals who is kept too 
busy picking flaws in his brothers to realize the unspeak- 
able vileness of his own pitiable, narrow mind; and who 
not infrequently comes to look upon himself as the very 
incarnation of virtue, a chosen saint who purposes to up- 
lift his fellow-men by trampling them in the mire! 

Mr. Peirce's liberality was often manifested in ways 
that distinguished him from the typical orthodox minister 
of the Gospel. He had none of that bigotry which looks 
upon a serious, frowning countenance as a necessary 
mark of piety, but instead felt that laughter or tears, work 
or pastime, each in its season, was equally acceptable to 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 59 

God. One event in his later life he often related, consid- 
ering it a good joke. 

On a certain summer's day, during one of his religious 
pilgrimages, he was tramping through the dust and heat 
toward a little village in the rural district when he met 
another pedestrian. Evidently the stranger did not notice 
the clerical appearance of the other; for after asking Mr. 
Peirce his destination, and being informed, he exclaimed, 
''Hurry up! There's the biggest faro game you ever saw 
going on in there!" 

On October 5, 1891, the Ohio House, where the Reverend 
C. C. Peirce lived during the greater part of his life in 
Placerville, was almost destroyed by fire. Mr. Peirce lost 
but a few of his possessions. While the house was re- 
building, he lived in the Commercial Hotel. But on Octo- 
ber 21, 1892, a second fire swept away the entire block in 
which the Commercial Hotel was located, destroying Mr. 
Peirce 's books and magazines, the greater part of his 
wardrobe and other articles of value. During the remain- 
der of his days he lived in the new Ohio House. And 
apropos of these matters may be mentioned the fact that 
Mr. Peirce always roomed next an alley. He would say, 



60 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

"I was born on an alley, I shall live on an alley and die on 
an alley." 

It was impossible that a human being so full of the di- 
vine spirit as Charles Caleb Peirce could escape criticism. 
Following his Master of nineteen centuries ago, every 
true disciple of Christ must sever the rigid bonds of 
creed and thereby bring upon himself the condem- 
nation of the ungodly and the ignorant. The Rever- 
end C. C. Peirce was no exception. The first criticism 
came from a certain bishop, who had veiled his eyes from 
the Truth so long and so persistently that he had forgot- 
ten the Christ and so failed to recognize His apostle. The 
second blow was nearer home: it came from within his 
own Church of our Savior, and was dealt by members of 
the congregation, who served mammon instead of God, 
and who wanted a "younger and more stylish" rector. But 
a storm of indignant protest burst from the loyal parish- 
ioners in the church and from persons of every creed in the 
town and county, and the threatened crisis was averted. 

In February. 1902, occurred the death of Albert J. 
Lowry, who was a pioneer resident of Placerville, a Wells- 
Fargo Express agent, an ex-postmaster and a prominent 
member of the Masonic fraternity. At the funeral, March 2, 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 61 



the Reverend C. C. Peirce delivered the following address: 

" 'Wherewith shall I come before the Lord and bow my- 
self before the high God? He hath showed thee, O man, 
what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but 
to do justly, aud to love mercv, and to walk humbly with 
thy God?' 

(Micah, 6th Chapter.) 

"So the essential requirement is, character of soul,sound 
with righteous living along the straight, white lines of duty, 
and heeding the eternal 'ought.' Such purpose, proved 
by conduct, which is character on action, is here made the 
test of acceptable life rather than the formalities, ecstacies, 
theories of religion. The prophet's statement has been 
named as the greatest saying of the Old Testament; an 
ideal of religion to which no subsequent century has 
ever added grandeur or tenderness. It is also the ideal of 
Masonry; that large system of moralized and spiritualized 
emblematic teaching. Brother Lowry was for many years 
a listener to, and an instructor in, this. 

"The most marked result of long life service, moved by 
such character, was the absolute confidence which every 
one, without exception, had in him; confidence in him as 
upright, faithful, careful, prompt, wise, kindly. A special 
fact was, that if our residents were asked to whom they 
would go, if counsel and advice, or help in difficulty were 
needed, Albert J. Lowry would be named by very many. 
They would confide in his respect for their feelings, his dis- 
cretion, his well-balanced judgment, his close keeping of 
their confidences. 

"Having acted in four organizations as Secretary, in 
which he was the presiding officer, opportunity was given 



62 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



to know how he took to heart the work intrusted; how ac- 
curate, foresighted, conscientious, wise, he always was. 
This respect became in some of us, tinged with a feeling 
akin to reverence. It may seem out of place to use the 
word 'reverence' about so plain, unassuming, e very-day a 
person as Brother Lowry. His life went into common- 
place business errands in office and street. He was our 
equal among the many Lodge brethren. Most seem to 
think that to revere one, he must be off from us, by great 
age or attainments, superior rank or office. But weight 
of character, matured wisdom, and justice, unobtrusive 
helpfulness, caused us to regard him as the 'first among 
his equals' and a superior counsellor. 

"Brother Lowry 's strict habits were not those usually 
called popular and social; office, home and lodge were the 
circuit of life. But at home he was a steady, intelligent 
reader, and especially a reader of the 'Holy Writings.' 
These he had, as a lodge instructor, often mentioned as 
the inestimable gift of God to man." By faithful atten- 
tion to the source of wisdom, he was able to be the ad- 
viser and exemplar for others. 

"A best earthly gift is a friendly life we are constrained 
to honor because deeply and truly honorable. After forty 
years' fellowship with our citizens here, it can be witnessed 
to as a fact, that the life now gone from us has radiated 
through this community, wholesomeness, truthfulness, use- 
fulness, harmony and practical righteousness, through the 
many years. 'A good name is rather to be chosen than 
great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.' 
'Who is a wise man and endowed with wisdom among you? 
let him show out of a good conversation his works with 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 63 

meekness of wisdom!' 'He that doeth righteousness is 
righteous.' " 

In polities, while nominally a Prohibitionist, in fact 
C. C. Peirce was a veritable Christian Socialist: first, be- 
cause socialism — that is, national ownership of all the 
means of production and distribution — was to him the only 
political belief completely in accord with Christ's teach" 
ings; and second, because, in common with every thought- 
ful, well-read man or woman who judges both sides de- 
liberately and without prejudice, he could see that social- 
ism is the only logical, hence the one possible outcome of 
the present autocratic, anarchic position which capital- 
ism holds toward labor and government. His article, 
"Optimism," published April 21, 3 900, in the "Forward 
Movement Herald, "a socialist publication of Los Ange- 
les, shows how rationally and consistently he argued: 

"There is a pessimism which is peevish, silly, and dys- 
peptic; it is constitutionally incapable of seeing anything 
good. There is an optimism which is hopeful, brave, noble 
and true and which in the deepest disaster bravely seeks 
to make the best of the situation. On the other hand 
there is a pessimism which is brave, far-sighted,earnest arid 
unselfish; there is an optimism which is short-sighted, 
cowardly, dangerous and destructive. The optimism which 
can see no wrong when there is wrong, no danger when 
there is danger, and ho need when there is need, is im- 



64 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE EEYEEEND C. C. PEIKCE. 



moral, improvident and untrue. It is worse than this; it 
is blind, infatuated and fatal, leading on to certain ruin, 
and choosing defeat and death where the way of life 
might have been chosen. Those who are the victims of 
this delusive philosophy never enter the world's need, 
because they claim to behold no need. At the worst all 
the sin, all the misery, all the ruin, all the wrong according 
to them are on]y eddies in the onmoving current of God's 
beneficent plan, and therefore all is well. Beholding the 
world's need and listening to its cry, they shuffle oil all 
sense of personal responsibility with the thought that 
progress is the divine programme of human activity, and 
that what one man may accomplish of evil or of good will 
have no influence upon the certain ultimate result. Dis- 
daining to be fatalists, and denouncing the Calvanistic the- 
ory of 'foreordination,' they float down with the current of 
events, looking with disapprobation upon all noble and 
self-sacrificing souls who seek to throw their personality 
into the scales on the side of humanity and justice and right. 
They look with suspicion upon all who fearlessly take their 
stand against tyranny and sin and wrong. The history of 
all the past is filled with the record of disaster and ruin, 
into which men and nations have blindly pluuged because 
they have persisted in their determination not to arouse 
themselves to grapple with thickening evils and dangers. 

"John B. Gough in one of his thrilling flights of ora- 
tory pictures a boat load of young men drifting carelessly 
with laughter and song down the rapids of the Niagara 
river above the falls. Friends upon the shore warn them, 
shout and implore, but these deluded pleasure-seekers 
laugh, deride the warning, make no effort to recover them- 
eslves, and float carelessly on down the dangerously acceler- 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 65 



ating current, until they plunge over into ruin and death. 
Mr. Gough told this to illustrate the condition of young 
men drunken with intoxicating drink; but how aptly does 
the figure illustrate the condition of our nation today, 
drunken with the wine of an unnatural, unequal and in- 
sidious prosperity. Men shout ' Danger ! ' but they deny 
it. Earnest men say, 'Beware!' but they shout 'Idiot! 
'crank!' Earnest men say, 'The rapids are below you'; 
they deride the suggestion. In the presence of evils grow- 
ing with tremendous and frightful rapidity, they are blind 
or pretend to be blind. Within sound of the growing 
expressions of discontent rising with insistent power upon 
the lips of millions they pretend not to hear. In the 
presence of a chasm constantly widening, between rich 
and poor, floating upon a current ever accelerating and 
ever bringing them nearer to the yawning gulf of ruin, 
they sit idle, preoccupied, irresponsible, non-committal, 
pretending to look with pity and contempt upon those 
who point out the danger. Such was the criminal opti- 
mism and blindness of a large class in those degenerate 
days preceding Israel's downfall, when earnest patriot and 
prophet fearlessly pointed out the ruin toward which the 
sacred nation was hastening with head-long speed. Let 
us go back and read the Hebrew prophets for a picture of 
our own times, and let us repent in sackcloth and ashes. Such 
was the infatuation and stubborn blindness of the trium- 
phant Latin race, while many a Roman patriot sought in vain 
to avert the impending doom. Let us read Gibbon's 'De- 
cline and Fall of Rome.' Such was the criminal indiffer- 
ence of France, heeding not the cry of the over-burdened 
peasantry, nor the warnings of far-sighted statesmen. Let 
us read Carlyle's 'History of the French Revolution.' 



66 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



"The man who sees no immediate hope for the great mass 
of humanity under present economic conditions, and who 
seeks to point out the evil and the remedy, is often sneered 
at as a miserable pessimist, and his voice of warning today, 
as in the days gone by, is frequently answered by the epi- 
thet of 'agitator,' 'sorehead,' or 'idiot.' 

"The fact is, the optimism of the hour is in many in- 
stances not worthy the name. Its true synonym in many 
instances is 'indifferent selfishness.' An analysis of the 
causes which produce the apathetic, blinded, indifferent, 
rather than optimistic attitude of so many regarding pres- 
ent-day problems, evjls and tendencies, reveals many ele- 
ments. Some are blinded by seeming personal prosperity. 
The inheritors of comfortable fortunes, the possessors of 
lucrative business, are blinded. 

"For some unaccountable reason they are blinded. 'Hav- 
ing eyes, they see not ! ' They see neither the wrongs which 
have left millions of their fellow-men stranded upon the 
barren sands of failure, nor the evils which are already 
slowly but surely undermining their present comfortable 
conditions. Many of those belonging to this class are 
honest. They simply do not see — in some instances can- 
not see. 

"It is not always so. Many upon whom fortune has 
lovingly smiled do see. They are able to behold how mil- 
lions of their fellow-men who have struggled as hard as 
they have been doomed to disappointment and failure. 
Some of these not only recognize the evil but are manly 
enough to take up humanity's cause, accepting the griev- 
ance of all weak, needy ones as their own. Many, on the 
other hand, of these so-called optimists are heartlessly dis- 
honest. They claim to believe all is well where they know 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 67 



this is not true. They cry, 'peace, peace,' when there is no 
peace. These men are not blind, but heartless. Keen- 
eyed and observant, they mark the sure signs of the com- 
ing storm, but being for the present securely entrenched 
in their comforts and privileges, with Louis XIV they 
heedlessly and blindly say: 

" 'After us the deluge.' 

"They see the storm coming on but believing it to be so 
timed as not to injure them, they refuse to avert the dis- 
aster which threatens others. 

"Thank God, in times like these there are watchmen 
who will not hold their peace night or day. Fearless men 
who love the cause of humanity better than the applause 
of evil, they know no other course but to point out a dan- 
ger w 7 here it appears. Such men fear the disapproval 
of God more than the sneers and misunderstandings of 
the world. Seers in vision and heroes in heart, they take 
their stand at the head of the world's progressive forces 
and there lead and champion the cause of truth and right. 
One age sneers at them, hates, condemns and crucifies 
them; the next places their names with tears of apprecia- 
tion among its seers, prophets, patriots and heroes. Thus 
does every cross become a signal at once of love's sacrifice 
and the world's hope, and the lurid flames about every 
martyr stake light up the sure pathway of the world's 
progress. 

" 'Truth forever on the scaffold, 

Wrong forever on the throne — 
Yet the scaffold sways the future, 
And behind the dim unknown 
Standeth God within the shadow, 
Keeping watch above His own.' " 



CHAPTER X. 

THE SCHOOLS AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES. 

Next to his services as a pastor and home missionary, C. 
C. Peirce's greatest influence for good was along educa- 
tional lines. Himself a finished scholar of far greater at- 
tainments and capabilities than any other in El Dorado 
county for the past forty years, he always manifested the 
deepest interest in the public schools of the county and 
state. 

In the records of Placerville's City Council, under date 
of May 20, 1863, is the following entry: 

"C. C. Peirce and J. H. McMonagle nominated for City 
Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Peirce elected." 

His duties in this office included those of Secretary of 
the City Board of Education. Later, after the City Board 
was dissolved, Mr. Peirce still held the office of City Super- 
intendent, also acting as Clerk of the Board of Trustees of 
the Placerville School District. When the city govern- 
ment was resumed, in April, 1900, C. C. Peirce was again 
reelected to the position he had held so long and so faith- 
fully. Originally there was a nominal yearly salary of $300 
connected with the office; but it was never collected, 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 09 

though C. C, Peirce performed his duties until sickness 

prevented. 

In the minutes of the County Board of Auditors — a 

temporary substitute for the Board of Supervisors — ap- 

pears this communication from the County Superintendent 

of Schools: 

"Placerville, Cal„ June 9, 1880," 
"To the Honorable Board of Auditors of El Dorado Co., 

Gentlemen: 

I hereb} T notify 
your honorable Board, that in accordance with section 1768 
of the Political Code, the members of the Board of Educa- 
tion of El Dorado county, at their first meeting, held 
June 5, classified themselves by lot, which action resulted 
in giving the short terms to C. IT. Cromwell and C, C. 
Peirce, the long terms to E. Watkins and John Frace. The 
short terms expire July, 1,1881, the long terms, July 1,1882. 

"Very Respectfully, 

Charles E. Markham, 
"Secretary Board of Education.'' 

C C. Peirce was continually re-appointed to this office, 
remaining till the close of life a zealous, conscientious 
member. 

As a scholar, he was thoroughly conversant with philos- 
ophy, history and general literature, but w T as especially 
proficient in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, reading the Holy 



70 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE KEVEKENB C. C. PEIRCE 

Scriptures as fluently in the three languages as in his na- 
tive tongue. 

While a member of the County Board of Education, he 
usually wrote all the examination questions in history, 
civil government and other literary subjects. His final 
work in that capacity was a paper on civil government for 
the ninth-grade pupils of El Dorado county, written dur- 
ing his last sickness. 

C. C. Peirce always found much pleasure in his^educa- 
tional duties, making even the dry task of correcting ex- 
amination papers seem interesting. His genial counte- 
nance was a veritable ray of sunshine in the dreary room 
where the applicants for teachers' certificates bent over 
their monotonous, brain-wearying toil. When correcting 
an applicant's paper, he always insisted that the student 
should have every possible credit. He would invariably 
object to a deduction of credits for trivial mistakes, when- 
ever the applicant's handling of a subject showed that it 
was thoroughly understood. In this, as in all other walks 
of life, Charles Caleb Peirce exhibited his innate sense of 
justice, his spirit of true Christliness. 

The fraternal societies were always extremely interest- 
ing to this man of varied tastes. "The lodge-room is my 



THE LIFti AND WORK OF THE REVEREND €. C. PtilRCE 4 1 

home," he often said. First becoming identified with 
Odd-Fellowship in the East, he afterward affiliated with 
Templar Lodge, I. O. O. F., San Francisco, remaining with 
that lodge until death. In Placerville he was a Charter 
Member of Leona Rebekah Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F., or- 
ganized April 2, 1876. He served as Chaplain of the 
Lodge fifteen years. On April 22, 1862, he joined — by 
card from Templar Lodge — Zeta Encampment, No. 5, I. O. 
O. F. And he served as High Priest during the greater 
part of his membership. 

C. C. Peirce became a member of the Independent Order 
of Red Men during his early years in Placerville, and he 
was the only member there who retained any interest in 
the Lodge after it went out of existence. He was for years 
secretary for the trustees of Union Cemetery, a joint 
property of several fraternal societies. 

He was made a member of El Dorado Lodge, No. 26, 
Free and Accepted Masons, February 24, 1862, and served 
as Chaplain and Secretary therein for nearly thirty years. 
He was exalted in St. James Chapter, Roj^al Arch Masons, 
November 30, 1864; and was knighted in El Dorado Coni- 
mandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, on June 16, 1865. He 
became Prelate of the Commandery in 1866 and held that 



72 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE EEVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

office until death. He was also Past Grand Prelate about 
the year 1871. And he was a charter member of Fallen 
Leaf Chapter, No. 90, Eastern Star, formed August 23,1886. 

In 1898 the various Masonic lodges purchased a life-size 
portrait of C. C. Peirce; and it was unveiled in the Masonic- 
Temple amid appropriate ceremonies. 

Out of respect to their beloved Prelate, for many years 
it has been the custom of El Dorado Commandery, No. 4, 
Knights Templar, to attend the Easter services at the 
Church of Our Savior in a body. 

At the Masonic banquets, as at all the fraternal gather- 
ings, the Keverend C. C. Peirce was always given the place 
of honor. Whenever joking and laughter were heard 
around the tables, Mr. Peirce almost invariably spoke of 
the general good-fellowship prevailing: "Just like brothers 
and sisters together ! " he would exclaim. When called 
upon for a speech, it was his custom to begin with an apol- 
ogy to the guests, and then recite, in his simple, heartfelt 
manner, some favorite lyric. His usual selection was from 
the "Masonic Poems of Dr. Robert Morris," the "Poet 
Laureate of Freemasonry:" 

"THE LEVEL AND THE SQUARE." 
"We meet upon the Level, and we part upon the Square, — 
What words of precious meaning those words Masonic are! 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. FEIRCE 73 



Come, let us contemplate them; they are worthy of a thought,— 
With the highest and the lowest and the rarest they are fraught. 

"We meet upon the level, though from every station come— 
The King from out his palace and the poor man from his home; 
For the one must leave his diadem without the Mason's door, 
And the other finds his true respect upon the checkered floor. 

"We part upon the square, for the world must have its due; 
We mingle with its multitude, a cold, unfriendly crew; 
But the influence of our gatherings in memory is green, 
And we long, upon the level, to renew the happy scene. 

"There's a world ivhere all are equal, — we are hurrying toward it fast, — 
We shall meet upon the level there when the gates of death are past; 
We shall stand before the Orient, and our Master will be there, 
To try the blocks we offer by His own unerring square. 

'We shall meet upon the level there, but never thence depart. 
There's a Mansion,— 'tis all ready for each zealous, faithful heart; 
There's a Mansion and a welcome, and a multitude is there, 
Who have met upon the level and been tried upon the square. 

"Let us meet upon the level, then, while laboring patient here,— 
Let us meet and let us labor, tho' the labor seem severe. 
Already in the western sky the signs bid us prepare 
To gather up our working tools and part upon the square ! 

"Hands round, ye faithful Ghiblimites, the bright, fraternal chain; 
We part upon the square below to meet in Heaven again. 
O what words of precious meaning those words Masonic are, — 
We meet upon the Level, and we part upon the Square." 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE PILGRIM'S STAFF. 

As Jesus of Nazareth, unmindful of blistered feet and 
aching body, tramped daily over the rugged pathways of 
Palestine, interpreting the Father's words and ministering 
to His children, so did the Reverend C. C. Peirce, follow- 
ing in his Master's footsteps while other ministers preached 
but practised not, trudge unfalteringly up and down the 
stony highwaj^s of El Dorado county, bearing everywhere 
the cheering message of Infinite Love and Helpfulness. 

To C. C. Peirce the Master w T as always the "Carpenter 
of Nazareth" — a plain, humble working man earning his 
sustenance by the "sweat of his brow" in accordance with 
God's command; not a rich, useless drone living on the 
very life-blood of the workers. In his five "El Dorado 
County Tracts" and his "Isaiah" pamphlet, all published 
anonymously, Mr. Peirce carries out this idea of universal 
brotherhood — which is surely the essence of true Chris- 
tianity, — showing conclusive]} 7 that a system of govern- 
ment which causes an unequal distribution of wealth is 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 75 

anti-Christian, and in the logic of events — as proven by 
the history of nations from time immemorial — a nation so 
ruled, if its citizens persist in stubbornly or ignorantly 
upholding its tyrannical sway, is doomed to certain destruc- 
tion. The socialism of the progressive modern world is 
but the logical outcome of the communism taught by Christ 
in the primitive days of old; and any intelligent, professed 
Ch.ristian who denounces or ignores socialism is either a 
conscious or an unconscious hypocrite, according to his 
knowledge of the subject. 

Believing in a Christianity which is seen as well as heard, 
the Reverend C. C. Peirce spent his time in putting his 
creed into practice. When not engaged in educational 
work — such as necessary when the Board of Education 
met in special session — he spent nearly every day but Sun- 
days in walking over the county, stopping in every settle- 
ment to hold religious services in hall or school-house. 
He never failed in an appointment while health and strength 
lasted. Whether the rain fell in torrents, or the day grew 
stifling with its heat and dust, this loyal disciple of the 
Christ still plodded onward in his labor of love. If any- 
one offered him a ride at such a time, he always answered 
with the greatest courtesy, but invariably declined all as- 



76 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

sistance. Frequently he would add in his eloquent 
simplicity, 

"Why should I ride? My Master walked!" 

During a journey afoot he indulged in a continual solil- 
oquy. When questioned by the curious in regard to this 
habit of holding conversation with himself, he would an- 
swer, "I am talking to my 'older brother.' ' If we could 
know the complete text of some of those absorbing talks 
with that mythical "older brother," we should certainly be 
well entertained thereby. Yet doubtless many of the 
themes of discussion apjDroached too near the Infinite for 
a common mortal to follow. 

On all these journeys, and in fact at every other place 
and time except in his own church during the service, Mr. 
Peirce wore a suit of plain gray. Doubtless this taste 
was inherited from his Quaker ancestors. 

C. C. Peirce was a welcome and much-beloved guest at 
every country fireside; for, indeed, it was in the sweet 
simplicity of rural life where his nobility of soul w T as 
most clearly recognized and most truly appreciated. The 
town, with its atmosphere of prejudice, frivolity, vice and 
indifference, failed to discern the real grandeur of the 
inner man. 




BEVEEEND C. (X PEIRCE, "THE PEOPLE S PASTOR 






THE LIFti AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 77 

He bad a particular lodging-place in every neighbor- 
hood. "These are mj homes," be would say; and to him 
they certainly were homes in the full sense of the word. 
Everyone in a bouse where he stayed looked upon him as 
a member of the family, He came and went as if he be- 
longed there, extending no formality and expecting none. 
A room was set apart for him, and was rarely occupied 
when he was away from it; to all the family it was 
"Mr. Peirce's room." 

He always left early in the morning, often at half -past 
three or four o'clock. So anxious was be to avoid incon- 
veniencing any person, that he refused to allow anyone to 
get breakfast for him; but would ask that some bread and 
fruit might be left on the table the night previous. After 
dressing, he would eat his simple meal and go on his way, 

On these journeys he always carried an extra suit of 
underwear, the necessary books, Sunday-School papers for 
the children, some candles for use during the service 
and often some extra books and cards. For many years 
these articles were carried in an old-fashioned carpet-bag, 
but during the latter part of his life he used a light "tele- 
scope" for the purpose. He often said the load had be- 
come "a part of" him; "seemed to balance" him. 



78 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. FEIRCE 

He always went to each temporary house of worship 
accompanied by members of the family with whom he was 
staying. When the services were ended, he and his friends 
walked "home" together, passing the time in pleasant 
converse. 

The Protestant Ej^iscopal ritual was never used on these 
occasions. Here the Reverend C. C. Peirce was the 
"people's pastor/' having neither sect nor creed. The 
meeting opened with "The Children's Prayer." repeated in 
unison; followed by "The Lord's Prayer," which all re- 
cited. Two or three hymns weie next sung, after which 
the sermon began. Whenever the pastor came to a quota- 
tion from the Holy Scriptures he would pause and ask 
everyone to repeat it. When the sermon was over, "Rock 
of Ages" was usually sung. Then came the "Benediction," 
uttered so earnestly and so feelingly that it seemed to the 
assembled people as if a voice were speaking from out 
the skies. 

When the services w T ere done and all were home once 
more, the family sat down to have a pleasant chat. In 
such a place religion was never mentioned by C. C. Peirce 
unless some other person first broached the subject. The 
talk was of familiar, e very-day matters. And often, too, 



THE LIFii AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PfelRCE 79 

the gentle pastor would recall reminiscences of his boy- 
hood days, and as he rambled on and on through those 
happy scenes of long ago, the surrounding objects ap- 
peared to fade away, and everyone was living in a land of 
youth and pleasure where care and hardship were un- 
known. Thus the time wore on until the hour for retiring 
was long past. But even then no one was willing to break 
up the circle. 

As age approached and those long trips became more 
and more irksome, friends ventured to remonstrate with 
Mr. Peirce for persisting in his missionary work. The 
reply was characteristic of the man. 

"Why," said he, "if I didn't go, many of those children 
out there would never hear of Jesus." 

And thus, forgetful of his own waning strength, and 
thinking only of those who needed aid and comfort, this 
unselfish teacher of the people went on in his work of de- 
votion; but while losing bodily power, he was steadily ad- 
vancing in that spiritual growth which would sustain him 
in that longer journey wherein Peace and Joy were his 
companions and the end was the Home of the Immortals. 



CHAPTER XII 

SICKNESS. 

With the exception of an attack of eczema seven years 
before, up to 1902 Mr. Peirce's general health had been 
excellent. But late in the summer of 1902 the same 
disease again manifested itself in him, appearing first on the 
hands, feet and ankles. The physicians announced that 
his long walks through the county and the constant strain 
of carrying the loaded satchel were largely responsible 
for the disease. There was no actual suffering, but as the 
eczema progressed the performance of the missionary work 
grew more arduous, as the condition of Mr. Peirce's feet 
and ankles made walking extremely difficult. Apart from 
this one affliction, his health did not seem affected. 

In vain did the physician advise, and other friends en- 
treat him to give up his country services. He felt that for 
him, the night was fast approaching, and that he must toil 
in the vineyard as long as the day lasted. And so, with 
his strength going hourly, but with a heart ever growing r 
in love for the Master whom he had served loyally for 
nearly half a century, this undaunted Soldier of the Cross 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 81 

marched sturdily onward until a time when his swollen 
feet and ankles made those fatiguing tramps an utter im- 
possibility. Already the twilight of life was darkening 
his vision. 

He told the children at Sunday-School one day that he 
would not be with them at Christmas. Many a child wept 
openly at the announcement, and every eye in the room 
grew moist with sympathy. But the Lord spared him a 
little longer, and the joy and yet the sorrow of the little 
ones on that last Christmas Day only the children may 
know. They had enjoyed so many happy hours together, 
they could not bear to think that they would never again 
see in its accustomed place the familiar form they loved so 
well. And when the last kindly words had been spoken, 
and the last books and cards given out by the hands which 
were soon to be folded in eternal rest, the children, passing 
through the doorway of the Church of Our Savior, looked 
backward through their tears at the beloved face so full of 
tenderness and love for them and all mankind. Oh, if they 
could only keep him one year more, "just one little }'ear, 
O Lord!" 

Thinking that possibly a visit to Byron Springs would 
prove beneficial to their Good Samaritan, the fraternal so- 



82 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

cieties of which, he was a member immediately raised the 
funds necessary to send him there. 

On the evening of January 10, 1903, the "Placerville 
Music and Drama Club," composed of young people of the 
city, gave, as a "benefit" for Mr. Peirce, a theatrical enter- 
tainment, "Uncle Rube." The proceeds were $130, — "a 
fund with which to buy more books for the children," the 
unselfish rector said; but, alas ! his generous purpose 
was never to be realized. 

On February 22 the Reverend C. C. Peirce performed 
the baptismal ceremony for Alta, infant daughter of Thomas 
and Ada Hardie, well-known residents of Placerville; on 
the day following he officiated at the funeral of an old 
man, Edward Eidinger, a brother of one of the pioneer 
citizens. What a fitting end that was to his duties as a 
pastor of the people, and how deeply significant of the 
great change even then impending — one day murmuring 
tender, hallowed words over an innocent babe at the very 
outset of Life's highway, the next uttering a touching yet 
hopeful farewell above the grave of a careworn traveler 
behind whom earth's portal had forever closed ! In the 
first instance, surely the little child, whose stainless soul 
had been consecrated to the Christ by one who stood so 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 83 

near the gentle Nazarene —surely her young life might 
grow yearly in sweetness and purity because of that ex- 
]Derience. And that other soul which had lately quitted 
its earthly tenement — if our faith is aught but a dream — 
must have found exceeding comfort and happiness in that 
sorrowful, eloquent appeal which floated upward to the 
Eternal Throne. 

On the latter occasion Mr. Peirce was unable to stand 
during the ceremony, and a chair was placed for him. In 
the midst of the burial service the earth, softened by recent 
rains, gave way, causing him to slip from his chair, and he 
was saved from falling into the open grave only by the 
timely assistance of the bystanders. But he went on with 
the ceremony as calmly as if no interruption had occurred. 

One of his last acts before leaving for Byron Springs 
was the giving of five dollars to a destitute family. That 
was but one of numberless instances of that whole-hearted 
generosity which once impelled this friend of humanity to 
present his new overcoat to a coatless stranger whom he 
met on the highway, and to walk onward, unprotected, in a 
pouring rain. 

After the arrival at Byron Springs Mr. Peirce 's con- 



84 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

dition appeared more favorable. His attendant wrote back 
to Placerville: 

"There are good people here and they w T ill look after 
Brother Peirce. I might return and save you five dollars 

a day." 

Immediately the answer came: 

"Stay where you are; money no object; spare no ex- 
pense." A reply worthy of whom it concerned, and a 
signal justification of his unfaltering trust in the willing- 
ness and ability of the Lord to provide for him in sick- 
ness as in health. 

It soon appeared that the change for the better was only 
temporary. The patient grew steadily weaker. He yearned 
for the hills among which he had toiled so many years. 
As the sojourn at Byron Springs was evidently of 
no material benefit, he was taken to San Francisco 
for medical treatment. The city was reached March 5. 
A prominent San Francisco physician was consulted and 
he announced that Mr. Peirce was in the last stages of 
Bright's disease of the kidneys. He advised an immediate 
return to Placerville, as there was no hope of the patient's 
recovery. 

An ex-merchant and his wife, residents of Placerville. 




LAST PHOTOGRAPH OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



THE LIFtL \ND WORK OE THE REVEREND C C. PEIRCE 83' 

sat by Mr. Peirce's bedside all that evening. He told 
them he knew what the physician had said. But despite 
his knowledge of the hopelessness of his case he seemed 
unusually cheerful and talked as much as his strength per- 
mitted. The ex-merchant's wife sat by and fanned him, 
as the close air of the room seemed oppressive to him. 
For this, and for every little kindness he was sincerely 
grateful, and would frequently exclaim, "Thanks ! thanks 
for friends, friends, friends 1" 

Yet he was impatient to be on his way to the mountains. 
He had lived so long away from the bustling city that it 
now appeared like a prison to him. 

"Oh, if I could get home to the village life, the sunshine, 
the pure air!" he cried, "I want a room on the south side 
of the house, where I can get the sunshine, the pure air; 
where I can see the blue sky and hear the birds sing!" 

As the night wore on he would continually ask the time, 
and whether it was time to start, and if he might get up 
and dress. He was so eager to be away, to be among 
his friends, 

At about six o'clock it was found impossible to keep him in 
bed any longer; so he was allowed to get up and be dressed. 
Even then he seemed too excited to eat his breakfast. 



86 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND G. C. FEIECE 

Two hours later he was homeward bound. Sacramento 
was soon reached, and then came the weary ride over the 
hills to Placerville. But at last the brakeman announced 
the name of that famous old mining town, and the jour- 
ney was over. 

Before many minutes had passed the Keverend C. G. 
Peirce was at home and content, in the little room which 
was his last abode on earth. 






CHAPTER XIII. 

THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW. 

At first the Reverend C. C. Peirce appeared so full of 
cheerfulness and so much stronger than was expected, that 
his friends almost dared to hope the impossible. Perhaps 
after all he was better and would be spared to guide and 
sustain them for many years to come. It is so natural for 
human-kind to find comfort in closing their eyes to the 
inevitable. 

But alas for the futility of man's desires when they op- 
pose the decrees of the Infinite ! The symptoms which 
in the average mortal would indicate anticipation of re- 
covery were in C. G. Peirce but the awakening of a great 
soul to a brighter and happier day. 

How grateful he was through it all for every little kind- 
ness offered him! And how his gratitude to the Creator 
seemed to grow w T ith the waning of his bodily powers ! 
There was nothing to complain of; for him God and man 
were working together to make the way pleasant and 
the end serene. 

"It is so good that I do not have to suffer," he would 



88 THE LIFE AND WORK OF TKE REVEREND G. C. FEXRCB 

often say to the friends gathered beside him. 

Who could fail to see the band of God during those 
closing days? Truly it was both just and fitting that this 
gentle, child-like man, whose long life had been spent in 
cheering and uplifting his fellow-men. should pass without 
a struggle from this world to the peace of eternity ! 

He constantly spoke of different friends and manifested 
a desire to see them. But failing strength seoii made 
extended conversation an impossibility, and he could talk 
only in monosyllables. Toward the close, Mr. William 
Bland, principal of the Placerville schools, and in some 
respects Mr. Peirce's most intimate friend, came to stay 
with him. 

On Thursday afternoon, three days before the end came, 
Mr. Peirce, evidently thinking that death was already 
near, signified an eagerness to communicate something to 
his chosen friend; and as the faithful comrade leaned 
toward him, these words were uttered slowly but distinctly : 

"I live not — I — but Christ liveth in me. * * I have 
always believed in the pure orthodox, evangelical religioo, 
but not in the frauds of priest-craft. * _ * To depart and 
be with Christ is far better. * * Forty years of constant 
life will show what a man believes in — what his life is — 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 89 

where his money goes. * * You know the items in the 
will — there is a reason for everything. * * Christ 
without any fraud — -pure gospel. * * No human being 
likes to suffer in the dying hour more than at any other 
time, but w r e wish to bear testimony to our God and Savior. 
We should be very thankful that w r e can leave the world 
without pain and perfectly reasonable. * * Sing at my 
funeral the 'Templar's Hymn.'" 

"He next repeated, with slight changes in the text, these 
lines from Whittier's "Our Master" : 

"Our earthly lips confess Thy name 
All other names above; 
Love only knoweth whence it came 
And comprehendeth love. 
"Through Thee the first fond prayers are said 
Our lips of childhood frame; 
The last low r w T hispers of our dead 
Are hallowed with Thy name." 
And then the final words: "I die in peace." 
To Charles Caleb Peirce, that w T as virtually the end. 
That was his last message to the world. iUthough he 
spoke occasionally during the remaining hours, nothing 
mere was said in the nature of a farewell. 

What a sublime faith that was which could hold its 



90 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. FEIRCE 

possessor in undisturbed serenity up to the very gates of 
Death ! 

Thereafter, except at long intervals, he gave no sign of 
consciousness save to nod or shake his head in answer 
to some question. Once he expressed a desire to have the 
prayers of his church read. When asked if he would like 
to have "Brother Hays" come and pray for him, he said 
earnestly, "Yes ! yes ! send for him !" 

The Keverend E. B. Hays, pastor of the Presbyterian 
Church and a sincere, outspoken Christian, putting his 
Savior before his creed, came then and afterward to 
read and pray for the stricken brother whose 'earthly 
lips" could no longer utter the words of holiness he loved 
so well; who, lying there so helpless, listened eagerly to 
that soothing voice, and at intervals murmured faintly, 
but so earnestly, "That's good!" 

But the mystic reaper was hourly approaching. On Sat- 
urday, March 14, the friends at the bedside saw those stain- 
less lips parting as if to speak, and coming nearer, heard 
this line from a favorite hymn: 

"Still support and comfort me." 

"We will, Brother Peirce," the attendant said. 

Faintly came the gentle rebuke: 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 91 

"I was referring to my heavenly Brother, though I am 
very thankful to all my earthly friends.' ' 

That was all. The beloved pastor lapsed into semi-un- 
consciousness, half-sleeping, half-w 7 aking; but he spoke 
no more. Awestruck, the watchers in that room of death 
sat and waited as that w r ondrous, unseen Presence nearer 
and nearer drew. At half an hour before midnight it had 
come and gone. Quietly, simply, as he had lived, Charles 
Caleb Peirce had sunk into a dreamless sleep, and his no- 
ble, Christ-like soul had floated upward to a realm where 
"virtue" is the only countersign. In that hallo w T ed moment 
verily that grand old psalm with which he had comforted 
so many others had for him a deeper, a truer significance: 

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow 
of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod 
and thy staff, they comfort me." 



CHAPTER XIV. 

AT EEST. 

The universal feeling of sorrow which descended like a 
pall when it was known that the Reverend C. C. Peirce 
was no more, is without a precedent in the history of El 
Dorado county. It seemed as if every home had been vis- 
ited individually by the grim destroyer. 

On Monday morning, March 16, "The Placerville Nug- 
get," under the heading, "El Dorado Mourns Her Grand 
Old Man," said: 

"Rev. C, C. Peirce passed away at the Ohio House about 
11:30 last Saturday night. This is the cold statement of 
the fact. To enlarge upon it and to fully present it in all 
its significance, would be to present a story replete with 
all that is noble and worthy in human life — a history of a 
consecrated life, filled with the essence of human kindness, 
shorn of all that is mercenary and base, and followed by 
the benedictions of thousands of persons who are the liv- 
ing witnesses to his sanctity of character and his wonder- 
fully charitable disposition. No one in the history of the 
county will be missed as keenly as 'the pilgrim' whose 
death is the sad subject of this article." 

It was decided that the body should lie in state in the 

Church of Our Savior from Monday until the following 



THE LIFti K^Tj WORK OF THE REVEREND tX. 0, PEIRCE 93 

Wednesday, when the last sad rites were to be held. On 
Tuesday, Mayor Wrenn issued the following proclamation; 

"There has passed from us a most remarkable man, 
unique and historic in character; whose like none of us 
can know in the person of any other individual. 

"Rev, C. Co Peirce spent more than forty years of his 
life in this community. Without money and without price, 
this devoted, pure and spotless man labored as an educa- 
tor, a moralist and spiritual teacher for the upbuilding and 
betterment of his fellows. No individual person or home 
"was ever tarnished by his influence, nor was there any pres- 
ence but was made better, purer and brighter thereby. 
A man of high educational and intellectual attainments, he 
was the least ostentatious of men. He was plain, candid 
and simple as a child throughout his career. The life of 
this genuinely heroic character has closed, and in recogni- 
tion of his services and the memory he has left u<?, I most 
respectfully request that the public schools of this city be 
closed throughout to-morrow, and that all places of busi- 
ness also be closed between the hours of 1 and 4 p. m. 
to-morrow, J. Q. Wrenn, Mayor," 

"Placerville, March 17, 1903. 

Wednesday dawned, the first sunny day after a week of 
rain and mist. It seemed as if nature itself had united 
with the stricken multitude in doing homage to this 
man of God, 

Early in the forenoon people began coming into tow r n 
from all directions; in carriages, on horseback, and afoot 



94 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. FEIBCE 

they came ; from every neighborhood in El Dorado county. 
By one o'clock hundreds of visitors of both sexes and of 
all ages were in the little mountain city. It was a universal 
tribute of respect to the memory of a brother and a friend. 

Long before the beginning of the services the Church 
of our Savior, in which the sainted rector lay at rest, was 
filled to overflowing, and hundreds of people waited out- 
side the doors and at the cemetery. Children of tender 
years, young men and maidens, gray-haired grandparents, 
persons of every age and in every station were there, in 
that sacred room where the beloved pastor had taught them 
and generations gone before; still he "was present, but Jiis 
voice was hushed in that "sleep that knows not breaking," 
and those familiar walls were sad with the colors of death. 

They waited, silent, Then the officiating Bishop, Mr. 
W. H. Moreland, standing before the casket, gave the 
opening portion of the majestic burial service. The 
singers — the combined choirs of the Episcopal, Presby- 
terian and Methodist Episcopal churches, under the di- 
rection of Mr. William Bland — sang "Jesus, Lover of my 
Soul" so tenderly that many wept in sympathy at this 
touching reminder of the dear friend who had gone from 
earth. Then Bishop Moreland, stepping forward once 



THE LIF«5 XSD WOKR OE THE MYEHEND 0. C. 5?EIRCE 95 

more, concluded the Episcopal ritual; and, then, with face 

uplifted over his sleeping comrade and brother, poured 

forth his very soul in a sublime eloquence of sorrow: 

"'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay 
down his life for his friends, 5 

'We have come to this assembly today with bowed heads 
and bleeding hearts. The friend of all has passed away, 
and now his body in the calm majesty of death lies here in 
the church of his love awaiting the resurrection. No 
more will his feet tread the dust} 7 highways upon his er- 
rands of mercy; no more will his kindly face be seen in 
the homes of the poor; no longer will his lips expound 
the words of that Holy Book he loved so well. In every 
home and kitchen and farm-house in the county he will 
be missed. 

"There w r as something in the life of this man that 
touches the most tender chords in our nature. It is a rare 
spectacle witnessed today: a whole county gathered at this 
burial; tears of affection glistening in the eyes of stalwart 
men; broken tones of grief rising out of the hearts of a 
multitude. Men, women and little children, what is the 
explanation of it ? I think it is because we all feel in- 
stinctively that this man was something like Jesus Christ, 
that he was different from the common run of men* He 
w r ent about doing good; he cared for others, and not for 
self. And he belonged especially to you. He gave you 
his life, his youth, his manhood, his age, and I tell you, 
just as truly as that Jesus Christ died for the world, so 
Charles C. Peirce died for you, men and women of El Do- 
rado eount}\ That is why your tears flow. It is not an 



96 THE LIFE AND WOHK OP THE REVEREND C. C. FEIBCE 



emotion that yuU need be ashamed of; It is a tribute of 
your affection and appreciation, for ^Greater love hath no 
man than. this, that a man lay down his life for his friends/" 
Now that his body lies here calm and stilly bis work well 
done, we ought to try to gather up the meaning of his life 
in order that we may cherish it and try to act upon it 
ourselves, We all feel and recognize that it is only too 
rarely we have a life such as this before us and we cannot 
afford to lose any of the meaning of this unique and 
precious life, 

"It seems to me, my dear people, that there were three 
great main-springs of motive that made Charles Peirce the 
man he was. They were faith in God, love of Christ and 
independence of the world. Let us consider for a few mo- 
ments each of these things. First, he was a man of faith. 
You knew that the moment you started to talk with him; 
he built his whole life upon faith. He was born in Cin- 
cinnati, in the year 1825 7 more than 77 years ago, and when 
he had received his early education at school and academy 
he began the study and practice of law. But very soon he 
felt his heart yearning toward the salvation of his fellow- 
creatures and so he decided to enter the ministry and he 
studied at the General Theological Seminary of New York. 
After a course of three years he was ordained and at the 
age of 35 came out to California. For a few months he 
was connected with one of the large wealthy churches in 
the great city of San Francisco; but he was not happy 
there, and an event occurred while he was connected there 
which changed his whole life. I do not think that I betray 
his confidence when I mention it. It was something like 
this: there were certain worldly-minded people in his con- 
gregation, good-hearted, well-meaning people, but unable 






THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 97 



to see one inch into spiritual things. Some of them said 
to him one clay, c Mr. Peirce, you want to make a success of 
your ministry and the way to do it is to cultivate the rich, 
for wealth rules and money controls the world.' One can 
imagine the feelings of a young priest with the ardent love 
of Christ and humanity in his heart upon hearing such 
sentiments expressed on the part of his own people. This 
was the answer: 'You w r ould try to make an infidel out of 
me. The Savior says truth, love aud righteousness will con- 
quer. He bids us put our trust in him and not in wealth. 
You profess to believe this in theory but in jonr hearts you 
believe that money controls and accomplishes all. 5 

"Peirce turns to flee as from the devil's snares. He re- 
solves to go into the wilderness and throw himself upon 
the arm of the Lord. It was in that spirit he came to 
Placer ville in the spring of 1861. That was wdry he re- 
fused to take any fixed salary from his vestry, because he 
did not want to lean upon an arm of flesh. How he lived 
that life of faith here among you for 42 years you know- 
far better than I. His life was like an open book; he was 
simple and candid as a child; as transparent as a crystal 
globe through which the light was ever shining, and that 
light came from the throne of God. When you talked 
with him you felt he was breathing an atmosphere of some 
other life than this, that he could make his own the words 
of Christ, who said, 'I have meat to eat that ye know not 
of.' His greatest delight was in teaching the Word of 
God. He recognized in scripture messages from the 
Eternal World and he studied them and mastered them 
and repeated them over and over, comparing them to tele- 
grams, the sender of which was unseen. He was a pilgrim 
on the road, but always came back on Sunday to his beloved 



98 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



church to hold his services. He was a deep student, keep- 
ing fresh in his Hebrew and Greek up to the very last. 
His annotations are to be found upon the margins of his 
books, wherein he was ever searching as in a mine for 
treasures that he might bring them out to his people. 
Sometimes he compared himself to a wheel in a running 
stream, with a never-Jailing supply of Holy Scripture run- 
ning through him. That the Bible should do its work 
among the people was his idea. So he became himself all 
these years the living incarnation of faith, and you beheld 
and marveled. One day when he was walking with me 
on the road he said, ' Emmanuel is nearer to me than 
the air I breathe or the food I eat. The world is 
passing away, and my flesh is perishing, but the Savior 
is the one great reality of life.' O, my friends, such 
a life as this could be a power and an inspiration to 
you if you would only let it. When your sin obscures 
the face of God, when your sordid aims make you 
forget your immortality and tempt } r ou to live for the 
present, let the remembrance of Brother Peirce's life lift 
up your gaze and remind you that you belong to God. 
Forty-two years this man lived this life of faith in this 
county. What a responsibility ! Do you not feel that 
the whole county ought to know God better and obey 
Him better because he lived ? Do you not feel that when 
the day of judgment comes it would have been better for 
you if Brother Peirce had never lived and died among 
you unless you are going to try to follow his example ? 

"The second great inspiration of his life was the love 
of Christ. He manifested it in the love of his fellow- 
man. Think of the miles and miles that he walked through 
the rain and heat, never failing to keep his appointments. 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 99 



It was all inspired by the love of Christ. Think of the 
packet of sacred treasures that he carried . with him and 
gave away to the people. Those little bcoks that he gave 
you will be among your most precious possessions. Four 
years ago he showed me the accounts that he had kept in 
his methodical way, and up to the year 1899 he had spent 
sixteen thousand dollars on the religious books and the 
sacred pictures and papers that he gave away. He be- 
grudged every dollar spent on himself. He saved every 
dollar that was given him or that he earned in order that 
he might buy more books to give away. See the wonder- 
ful record of his Church, what he did as its pastor for all 
the people, a book so valuable that I shall ask the vestry 
to have it preserved in tire-proof vaults with your county 
records, where all the people may know that it is safe and 
accessible. He conducted more than 1300 funerals, 600 
marriages and more than 700 baptisms, Other ministers 
came and went, but Brother Peirce remained. Others were 
influenced by the idea of large salaries and congregations 
but it did not touch him at all; it was enough for him 
that he should be the shepherd of the people of this 
county, and that when they called on him at any hour of 
day or night he might be ready. Men and women; you 
must have seen that he has been manifesting to you the 
love of Christ all these years ? Surely you did recognize 
it, and that is w T hy this outpouring of sorrow and sympathy 
is seen today. Yes, the love of Christ was in his heart. 
How different w 7 ere your motives from his. You came here 
to get, he came here to give. You saved, he scattered. 
You sought the material gold, he the gold of character and 
goodness. Which was better? You can never say you 
did not see Christ walking your streets, living your life. 

LofC. 



100 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. REIRCE 



He was here, showing you the life you ought to live — Em- 
manuel Himself , in the person of this gray old man. It was 
Jesus Christ in the person of this faithful servant, ever plead- 
ing with you and silently drawing you to a Christian life. 

"The third great key-note of Mr. Peirce's life was his 
independence of the world. That is why he refused to 
accept a fixed income. That is why he would not save 
money. He inherited a little fortune early in life from his 
father before he entered the ministry, but touched by the 
misfortune of a friend in business, he loaned him the 
money and got none of it back. He did not care; it only 
served to make him throw himself more earnestly upon 
the promise of the Savior. 'Seek ye first the kingdom of 
God and His righteousness and all these things shall be 
added unto you. 5 This was his Savior's word, and he be- 
lieved it literally and lived by it. Very sensibly he said, 
'Of course, if I were a married man I could not live as I 
do; I would have obligations to meet for my family, and 
would need to save and provide for the future; but I am 
single, my people are my family, and I believe if I serve 
God and spend all I get on God, then when I need, God 
will provide for me; He will fulfil His promise, and so I 
will leave all to Him.' Sometimes he compared himself to 
St. Peter walking on the sea, holding fast to the hand of 
Jesus Christ, sustained from above and independent of the 
world. How magnificently his faith was justified ! Did 
you know when you were providing so liberally for him in 
his sickness that you were fulfilling the promises of Jesus 
Christ ? Don't you know that was why he was so happy 
in his last illness, because he felt that his Savior's promise 
was proved, every word of it? He had nothing, yet he 
possessed everything; not a dollar in the bank, yet you 



THE LIFE A.ND WORK OE THE EEVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 101 



could have gone out on the street and whispered his name 
and in an hour collected a thousand dollars. The word of 
Jesus Christ was being fulfilled— that was it. What was 
the meaning of the message sent back to the attendant who 
went with him to Byron Springs ? 'There are good people 
here/ he wrote, 'and they will look after Brother Peirce. 
I might return and save you live dollars a day.' Instantly 
the answer was received: 'Stay where you are; money no 
object; spare no expense,' You were not aware of it, but 
God was using you to fulfil His promise; you were proving 
that God speaks the truth in his Holy Word. O, my dear 
friends, don't let this wonderful life pass out from among 
you without seizing upon its real meaning, without trying 
to feel its supernatural power.' He was showing you how 
to be independent of the world; how to live in it yet above 
it. He had the true riches, compared with which earthly 
gold is cheap and pale. Every day brought him nearer to 
his inheritance. He walked through life happy and con- 
tent; he had ho apprehensions for the future —his life was 
as free as the bird or the flower which God provides for. 
Although his feet were on earth his heart was in Heaven. 
You are afraid that poverty may overtake you. He had no 
such fears; he was independent of it. When sickness 
came, it was nothing to him. When he knew he had to 
die he conversed calmly about it and made all preparation. 
Wonderful blessing, to be able to live in this world of un- 
happiness and misery; to see poverty, disease and death 
approach and yet be independent of it all ! Can we have 
that blessing? O, charmed life, to move amid the fiery 
furnace of this life's experiences and yet go smiling through 
them all ! Can we have that life? You can possess it as 
he did by seeking it at the same source. You know that 



102 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND G. C. FE r IECl 



he possessed it, you saw it in him, How account for it ? 
It was because he was not alone; there was One walking- 
with him through life's trials and the form of that other 
was like the Son of God. Men and women of El Dorado, 
you have had this living sermon on Christianity acting 
itself before your eyes all these years. Whether you went 
to church or not, you have seen the life you ought to live. 
In the day of judgment you cannot plead ignorance: you 
know what kind of people you ought to be. The question 
alone remains: are you going to try to follow even afar off 
the example of this noble man? Is this most Christ-like 
witness to be in vain ? Surety if these dumb lips could 
utter one last message to you before he is taken to his last 
resting-place, it would be something like this. He would 
say, 6 my people, the life of faith— -will you live it? The 
life of love — will you practice it? The life of indepen- 
dence—will jou enter into it ? The way to do it all is to 
come to God. Put your hand trustfully in the hand of 
Emmanuel and He will lead you to the Father.' 

Now, good and noble man, farewell ! Thou hast been a 
true disciple of Jesus Christ, a faithful minister of His 
Church. Thy bishop is glad and proud to lay the laurel 
on thy brow. We did not count thee perfect, free from 
the failures and imperfections of our human nature. Thine 
was a rugged personality. But we saw in thee the shining 
gold of unselfishness. We recognized thy grandeur be- 
cause thou wast full of God. With God thou didst walk 
on earth, with God thou art walking now, and thy delight 
will be to walk with Him through eternity. Brother, thy 
life has inspired us, blessed us and shown the way to 
Heaven. Fare thee well." 



THE LtFE AND WOBK OF THE UEVEREND G. C. PEIRCE 103 

The people had listened, spell-bound, to the opening 
lines of that matchless eulogy; but when the Bishop told 
of their duties to the dead, and speaking for those voice- 
less lips, gave utterance to that touching appeal to heart 
and conscience, the silence was broken; women and little 
ones sobbed aloud, while many an eye grew moist in sym- 
pathy. And when the choir, sadly and tenderly, drifted 
into the melody of "Sun Of My Soul," hearts long grown 
callous to fervid eloquence yielded to that subtile charm 
which music has for all, and sweet-faced child and thought- 
less youth, people bent with age, fragile women, and stout, 
broad-shouldered men alike gave way to one common im- 
pulse of sincere, unrestrained grief. 

The song died away; Mr. Bland, the director, seated at 
the organ, played a dirge, and the vast assemblage, moving 
in time to those mournful strains, marched one by one 
adown the aisles and past the sombre casket, each stopping 
in turn for a last farewell to the beloved friend who lay 
there so white and still. And yet it hardly looked like 
death. That pure and kindly face, so tranquil in its dream 
of peace, was so life-like that it seemed as if those silent 

lips were saying, "Weep not, O my people ! for I am 
happy now!" 



104 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. VEWCE 

Still on and on, slowly, reverently, the sad procession 
filed past that Christ-like form, until the last Qne in that- 
weeping multitude had paused beside the coffin and the 
wailing tones of the organ had faded into silence. The 
casket was closed, and the pall-bearers, with gentle hands, 
carried it between the lines of mourning friends, out to 
the shining chariot of the dead which stood ready to re- 
ceive its burden. Slowly the many carriages drove into 
line, the pedestrians, with hushed footfalls, moved along 
the sidewalks, and another mortal was on his way to his 
eternal resting-place Sodu the sombre procession had 
reached the Union Cemetery and was treading the shaded 
aisles of that beautiful city of silence, where hundreds 
from many generations were lying, all unconscious that 
another and a greater comrade was come to sleep with them. 
Even now he had reached his bed, freshly made in the vir- 
gin earth. Reverently the casket was carried from the 
hearse and set down by the open grave. And amid a vast 
stillness Acting-Chaplain J. F. Owen, obeying a request of 
their late Chaplain, stepped forward and gave the burial 
service of the Odd Fellows. Suddenly, faintly as if the 
sound came from celestial choirs, the sublime strains of 
"Nearer, My God, to Thee" w T ere wafted to the listening 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 105 

ear, and in that moment of awful solemnity the casket was 
low r ered into the waiting tomb, while tears gathered in 
every eye and a sympathetic throb of anguish quivered 
through the hearts of a multitude. And when Worship- 
ing Master M. Mierson, in compliance with a last w 7 ish of 
him who had served the Lodge faithfully almost a third of 
a century, recited the impressive closing portion of the 
Masonic ritual, many turned away unable to bear the sad- 
ness of it all. But their grief was softened as Mr. Shelley 
Inch read their beloved friend's favorite poem, Whittier's 
immortal lines of sublime faith, hope and love, "Our Master": 

"OUR MASTER." 
"immortal Love, forever full, 

Forever flowing free, 
Forever shared, forever whole, 

A never-ending sea ! 
"Our outward lips confess the name 

All other names above; 
Love only knoweth whence it came, 

And comprehendeth love. 
"Blow, winds of God, awake and blow 

The mists of earth away! 
Shine out, O Light Divine, and show 

How wide and far we stray! 
"Hush every lip, close every book, 

The strife of tongues forbear; 
Why forward reach, or backward look 

For love that clasps like air? 
"We may not climb the heavenly steeps 
To bring the Lord Christ down: 



106 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



In vain We search the lowest deeps, 
For Him no depths can drown 

"Nor holy bread, nor blood of grape, 

r l he lineaments restore 
Of Him we know in ontward shape 
And in the flesh no more. 

"He cometh not a king to reign; 
The world's long hope is dim; 
The weary centuries watch in vain 
The clouds of heaven for Him. 

"Death comes, life goes; the asking eye 

And ear are answerless; 
The grave is dumb, the hollow sky 

Is sad with silentness. 

"The letter fails and systems fall, 

And every symbol wanes; 
The Spirit over-brooding all 
Eternal Love remains. 

"And not for signs in heaven above 

Or earth below they look 
Who know with John His smile of love, 
With Peter His rebuke. 

"In joy of inward peace, or sense 

Of sorrow over sin, 
He is His own best evidence, 
His witness is within. 

"Nor fable old, nor mythic lore, 
Nor dream of bard and seers, 
No dead fact stranded on the shore 
Of the oblivious years;— 

"But warm, sweet, tender, even yet 

A present help is He; 
And faith has still its Olivet, 
And love its Galilee. 

"The healing of His seamless dress 
Is by our beds of pain; 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 107 



We touch Him in life's throng and press, 
And we are whole again. 

"Through Him our first fond prayers are said 

Our lips of childhood frame, 
The last low whispers of our dead 
Are burdened with His name. 

"O Lord and Master of us all ! 
Whate'er our name or sign, 
We own Thy sway, we hear Thy call, 
We test our lives by Thine. 

"Thou judgest us; Thy purity 
Doth all our lusts condemn; 
The love that draws us nearer Thee 
Is hot with wrath to them. 

"Our thoughts lie open to Thy sight: 
And, naked to Thy glance, 
Our secret sins are in the light 
Of Thy pure countenance. 

"Thy healing pains, a keen distress 

Thy tender light shines in; 

Thy sweetness is the bitterness, 

Thy grace the pang of sin. 

"Yet, weak and blinded though we be, 

Thou dost our service own; 
We bring our varying gifts to Thee. 
And Thou rejeetest none. 

"To Thee our full humanity, 
Its joys and pains belong; 
The wrong of man to man on Thee 
Inflicts a deeper wrong. 

"Who hates, hates Thee, who loves becomes 

Therein to Thee allied; 
All sweet accords of hearts and homes 

In Thee are multiplied. 

"Deep strike thy roots, O heavenly Vine, 
Within our earthly sod, 



108 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



Most human and yet most divine, 
The flower of man and God ! 

"O Love ! O Life ! Our faith and sight 

Thy presence maketh one: 
As through transfigured clouds of white 
We trace the noon-day sun. 

"So, to our mortal eyes subdued, 
Flesh-veiled, but not concealed, 

We know in Thee the fatherhood 
And heart of God revealed. 

"We faintly hear, we dimly see, 
In differing phrase we pray; 
But, dim or clear, we own in Thee 
The Light, the Truth, the Way ! 

"The homage that we render Thee 

Is still our Father's own; 
Nor jealous claim or rivalry 

Divides the Cross and Throne. 

"To do Thy will is more than praise, 
As words are less than deeds, 

And simple trust can find Thy ways 
We miss with chart of creeds. 

"No pride of self Thy service hath, 

No place for me and mine; 
Our human strength is weakness, death 
Our life, apart from Thine. 

"Apart from Thee all gain is loss, 

All labor vainly done; 
The solemn shadow of Thy Cross 
Is better than the sun. 

"Alone, O Love ineffable ! 

Thy saving name is given; 
To turn aside from Thee is hell, 
To walk with Thee is heaven ! 

"How vain, secure in all Thou art, 
Our noisy championship !— 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C, C. PEIRCE 109 



The sighing of the contrite heart 

Is more than nattering lip. 
"Not Thine the bigot's partial plea, 

Nor Thine the zealot's ban; 
Thou well canst spare a love of Thee 

Which ends in hate of man. 
"Our Friend, our Brother, and our Lord, 

What may thy service be?— 
Nor name, nor form, nor ritual word, 

But simply following Thee. 
,f We bring no ghastly holocaust, 

We pile no graven stone; 
He serves Thee best who loveth most 

His brothers and Thy own. 
^hy litanies, sweet offices 

Of love and gratitude; 
Thy sacramental liturgies. 

The joy of doing good. 
**In vain shall waves of incense drift 

The vaulted nave around, 
In vain the minster turret lift 

Its brazen weights of sound. 
"The heart must ring Thy Christmas bells, 

Thy inward altars raise; 
Its faith and hope Thy Canticles, 

And its obedience, praise !" 

At the conclusion of this favorite poem of the gentle 
divine, Mr. C, A. Swisler read a touching tribute from the 
pen of S, Wilton Howard, a young Placerville poet: 

' COME, ED DORADO, AND BURY YOUR DEAD," 

"His long day is over, his spirit with God, 
His body at rest in the merciful sod; 

A halo of Glory now circles his head- 
Weep, El Dorado! Your shepherd is dead. 

"Weep not, my brothers, because he has flown; 
Grudge not his place at the Nazarene's throne; 



1 10 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEBETO C. C. FEXECE 



P'or earth could not offer a bounty more rare,- 
And Heaven is brighter because he is there. 

"But weep for the souls that will know hi in no mo rev 

Un-plloted craft that are drifting- ashore: 
Forsaken, abandoned on life's troubled sea 

To sink within sight of the New Galilee. 

"He has walked in the pathway that leads us to Gocf, 
The pathway that Jesus of Nazareth trod. 

And Christ-like, wherever he passed, trrore has come 
The Peace of the Lord to a desolate home. 

"He has succored the living- and prayed for the dead, 

Softening the words of the messenger dread. 
The fallen uplifted, the stricken consoled 
• And the stone from the mouth of the sepulchre rolled, 

"The Spirit of Christ he has shown to the world, 
And bravely the Standard of Right, he unfurled. 

Now, take up his work where his hand laid it down 
And prove that you love him by keeping his Crown, 

"You must carry the banner he carried so far, 
That nothing- of sorrow, bis glory may man 

And when all yourpromise of service is said. 
Come, El Dorado, and bury your dead : 

"Fold his hands tenderly, place on his breast- 
The Cross of his Master and lay him to rest; 

Lay him away fn his cope and his stole. 
Peace to his ashes and joy to his soul." 

These simple and heart-felt lines, written by a young 
man who had spent nearly all his life in the town where 
the Reverend C. C, Peirce had lived so many useful years, 
had a marked effect upon the sorrowing people who now 
were here to see that "grand old man" consigned to that 
dark abode to which the mortal part of all humankind 



THE LIFE AND TVORK OE THE REVEREND a C. PEIRCE 111 

must sooner or later go. And now the choir in accordance 
with the wishes of the departed friend, sang the well-known 

"TEMPLARS' HYMN.' 7 

"He dies! the Friend of Sinners dies 

Lo! Salem's Daughters weep around"; 
A solemn darkness veils the skies — 

A sudden trembling shakes the ground: 
Come, saints, and drop a tear or two 

For Him who groaned beneath yonr load: 
He shed a thousand drops tor you — 

A thousand drops of richer blood. 

""Here's love and grief beyond degree: 

The Lord of glory uies for men! 
But lo! what sudden joys we see : 

Jesus, the dead, revives again. 
The rising Lord forsakes the tomb; 

— In vain the tomb forbids His rise;-— 
Cherubic legions guard Him home, 

And shout Him welcome to the skies. 

"Break off your tears, ye saints, and tell 

How high our great Deliv'rer reigns; 
Sing how He spoiled the hosts of hell, 

And led the monster Death in chains, 
Say, live forever, wondrous King! 

Born to redeem, and strong to save; 
Then ask the monster, 'Where's thy sting?' 

And 'Where thy vict'ry, boasting grave?'" 

As the sad notes died away Bishop Moreland, in a voice 
vibrant with emotion, uttered the last benediction and 
farewell over his sleeping brother. Then many turned to 
go. Others remained until the grave was filled, and the 
beautiful floral pieces and sweet bouquets, remembrances 



112 THE LIFE AND WORE: OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

of young and old, were arranged upon the mound with 
loving hands. Then, silent, or speaking only in the sub- 
dued tones of sorrow, the living friends went out from that, 
city of the dead, feeling that an irreparable loss had 
eome upon them all. 

Charles Caleb Peirce was forever at rest, there beneath 
the evergreens among his beloved hills, with the deep blue 
canopy of the California sky above the verdant trees, and 
Nature's voices chanting an eternal requiem. 



CHAPTER XV. 

In Memoriam. 

It is a common, but most truthful saying that a man's 
real worth is never recognized until after he is dead. That 
fact is particularly applicable to the Reverend C. C, 
Peirce. After a few years of his devoted service to his 
fellow-men, the general public looked upon his work as a 
matter of course; and while they admired him in a negative 
sort of way, and always spoke well of him and defended 
him from insult and abuse, but few persons could see how 
far he stood above them all, both morally and mentally. 
His parishioners, with the exception of a few faithful ones, 
utterly failed to appreciate his nobility of character. As a 
rule they spoke very highly of "Brother Peirce," but they 
allowed him to preach Sunday after Sunday to empty 
benches, while they themselves remained at home or at- 
tended other churches. Had they used a practical, as well 
as a theoretical Christianity, by giving their Christ-like 
rector the comfort and support of regular attendance at 
his meetings, there would have been no occasion for the 
bitter remorse which mingled with their grief after the 



114 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 

saintly pastor had gone where tears availed him not. The 
people outside of Placerville, regardless of creed, a few 
loyal parishioners, with other townspeople, not members of 
his church, were his only real friends during life. 

The reason for such a state of affairs is not hard to find. 
Charles Caleb Peirce lived and taught a religion of w T hich 
many of the so-called Christian churches know^ nothing — 
the religion of Jesus Christ. While others talked of In- 
finite wrath and vengeance, this man alone, following his 
Master, spoke of the ever-enduring, all-embracing love of 
the Father of the Universe. While others told of the 
Christ and at the same time assisted in, or connived at, the 
oppression of the poor by the rich, his manly, sincere voice 
sounded over and over the Savior's warning to those rob- 
bers in high stations: "Ye cannot serve God and mammon! 

While often failing to show appreciation of their unself- 
ish rector by giving him the pleasure of their attendance, 
the parishioners surely cannot be accused of neglecting his 
material comforts. For many years the "Peirce Guild," an 
association composed of the women of the church, gave 
"suppers" and dances in order to raise the money neces- 
sary for Mr. Peirce's support. 

As the Reverend C. C. Peirce preached, so did he prac- 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 115 

tice. He showed his love for Christ by overlooking men's 
faults and exalting their virtues. He denounced mammon- 
worship and proved his sincerity by depriving himself of 
luxuries and even necessities in order that he might spend 
more to benefit needy brothers and sisters. In his will he 
bequeathed to his only living sister — -Mrs. Wm. Mode of 
Ooatesville, Pennsylvania — -a gold watch she had given 
him many years before. The remainder of his personal 
effects he willed to his faithfu) friend, Mr. William Bland. 
His "pilgrim" satchel and some other articles he had pre- 
viously given to a leader in his Sunday-School, Miss Alice 
Bailey. All he left in money was $130, doubtless a reserve 
fund for gifts to his beloved friends in town and county. 

According to custom, the Masonic and Odd Fellow fra- 
ternities passed eloquent resolutions of respect to their de- 
parted brother; but perhaps the most touching memorial 
came from the members of the Presbyterian Church of Pla- 
cerville — a testimonial that is doubly significant in that it 
comes from the only church in Mr. Peirce's home which as 
a congregation did open homage to the sacred memory of a 
man whose equal cannot be found within or outside any 
church in El Dorado countv. The memorial is as follows: 



116 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



"Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His wise 
Providence, to call from the scenes of his earthly labors, to 
his final reward, our brother in Christ, Charles C. Peirce; 
and while we bow in humble resignation to the will of 
Him who doeth all things well; and while not being a part 
of that section of the Church of Christ, in which our de- 
parted brother labored so long and so faithfully, we believe 
his life was spent in loving service of the same Lord and 
Saviour whom we love and serve, and we feel it but a fit- 
ting tribute to the honored memory of our late brother in 
Christ, that we record our sense of bereavement in the loss 
which has fallen, not only upon his church, but upon the 
community at large, and that he, who for so many years 
pointed out the way of life to the people of this county, 
has but passed from glory unto glory, and is resting upon 
the bosom of that Master whom he loved and faithfully 
served. And as an expression of our feelings at this time, 
we therefore 

Besolve, That as a body, we extend to our sister church 
in the hour of her loss, our heartfelt sympathy, and com- 
mend them at this time to the God who was for so many 
years the Stay and Guide of our brother, 

And it is ordered that a copy of these resolutions be for- 
warded to the ruling authorities of our sister church with- 
out delay. 

William C. Burgess, 
Fred N. Bohlfing, 

Committee." 

Bishop W. H. Moreland, Bishop of the Protestant Epis- 
copal diocese in which the Beverend C. C. Peirce labored, 



THE LIFE AND "WORK OE THE REVEREND C. C. JPEERCE 117 

and a man of true Christliness, in a Bible instruction meet- 
ing in Sacramento on Wednesday evening, March k 25, ac- 
cording to the "Record-Union," declared that the late Rev- 
erend C. C, Peirce of Placerville would "be recognized 
hereafter as one of the brightest lights American Christi- 
anity has produced.' 5 The "Sunday Evening Leader" of 
Sacramento published a concise but true account of Mr. 
Peirce's life-work. "The Trestle Board," a Masonic mag- 
azine of San Francisco, said: 

"Since 1861 until March 14, 1903, there lived in Placer- 
ville, El Dorado county, one of the most lovable characters 
of Christ Episcopal Church. On the day last mentioned 
his Master called him to eternal rest. While nominally 
attached to the Diocese of California, in reality the good 
rector was a missionary of his own volition, acknowledg- 
ing allegiance only to God above, and Masonry below, 
He never received a salary, was never in want, and min- 
istered unto a dozen or more missions scattered over the 
high mountains. He was truly a Father in Israel, loved by 
all sects and all people. He was a man of great learning, 
a lover of books, and was the possessor of a rare ecclesi- 
astical and general library. It was a treat to meet him 
in his library and listen to his converse. No other such 
character lives in California toda}^, and the very mountains 
will miss his footfall. Next to his church, Masonry was 
his love As Prelate of El Dorado Coramandery No. 4 of 
Placerville, he did more, much more, than the average 
Templar is capable of doing, in pointing the novitiate to 



118 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. RETRCE 

the cross of the blessed Savior as a means of saving grace. 
It was his natural place in the Commander v, and the Sir 
Knights of the mountain region near beautiful Placerville 
will miss him and mourn him, but the}^ know he is enrolled 
in the better asylum nearer and closer to his Lord and 
Master, and in that knowledge they will find consolation. 
The good man has simply gone home, that's all." 

Right here it is relevant to mention the fact that on the 
Easter Sunday following their Christ-like Prelate's death, 
El Dorado Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, out of 
respect to his sacred memory, observed their old custom 
of attending the "Church of our Savior" in a body. How 
they missed his familiar presence on that occasion no 
others may realize, 

Under the title, "A Self-Denying and Steadfast Soldier 

of the Cross," the "Mountain Democrat" of Placerville 

said in part: 

"Wonderful man ! When in 1866, he exchanged the 
court-room for the little chapel that had been built for 
him on Coloma street, he had already made a sanctuary of 
every school-house in his loved and loving county. The 
invisible hand that for forty-two years led him up and 
down her trails and highways, had made his sacred mission, 
and what Bishop W. H. Moreland in his superb funeral 
discourse, so fitly and feelingly characterized as his 'unique 
and precious character,' themes for universal gratitude and 
praise by the old and young of two generations. 



THE LIFE A.ND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 119 



"Expressive words ! and how feelingly uttered over the 
sainted brother, sleeping there in his own little church and 
in the simple drapery and serene 'majesty of death.' How 
truly descriptive of his vicarious and finished life-work ! 
'Unique' because there was among his sorrowing parish- 
ioners and popular following none upon whom his mantle 
could fall; no, not one. 'Precious' because so supremely 
self-denying and divine, as to have made him, living and 
dead, the best example of benevolent brotherhoods and 
saving humanities, in all the homes and hamlets of his 
kingdom on earth. 'Unique and precious' by reason of 
virtues and graces that dominated and crowned his un- 
pretending and useful career, his example lives after him, 
to be emulated if not attained. In the language of 
Emerson, one of his favorite authors, it says to the people 
he loved and served and especially to the churches: 

" 'Go put your creed into your deed, 
Nor speak with double tongue.' 
"That the funeral of such a man was a popular ovation 
to his memory, was to have been expected. A churchman 
without the taint of intolerance, all sects and societies 
paid willing homage to his exceptional virtues and blame- 
less life. A scholar without pedantry, he is missed and 
mourned by all educators and schools of thought. The 
companion of children; he was the idol of parents, and 
with inconsolable sorrow all wept over the bier of their 
departed friend and benefactor. The champion of the 
poor and friendless, many came from far and near to re- 
ciprocate his devotion. A member of many fraternal orders 
and brotherhoods, he was a past master in all their work 
and rituals. A Christian philosopher who believed in his 



120 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. FEIFCE 

Maker and worshipped him, from the 'Delectable Moun- 
tains' on which shepherds feed their flocks, he loved to 
look away to the domes and spires of the Celestial City 7 
rounded and glittering in the depths of the clear upper sky. 
"From the stricken homes of El Dorado, to the beauti- 
ful city on which he gazed so long and lovingly and in 
which all his treasures awaited him ? the good and penni- 
less pilgrim has gone to his reward. * * " 

The other portion of this eloquent tribute is but a sum- 
mary of what has already been described, and therefore it 
is unnecessary to quote further. 

It remained for Mr. G. A. Richardson of the "El Dora- 
do Republican" to write the most comprehensive review 
of the Reverend C. C. Peirce's life and character. In the 
editorial column of that paper for March 19, appeared the 
following; 

"An Apostle of Brotherhood Righteousness." 

"Rev. C. C. Peirce, the people's pastor, is dead. The 
news will sadden many a home in El Dorado county, where 
he came in young and vigorous manhood; where he lived 
for half a century without even lessening the esteem with 
which he was universally regarded; and where he finally 
passed away, happy in his perfect belief that all things are 
in God's wisdom for the best, and in the broadly benevo- 
lent spirit which extended good-will to all living creatures, 
leaving no room for the unceasing animosities and conten- 
tions that afflict the lives of nearly all men and women. 

"Mr. Peirce was a clergyman of the Protestant Episco- 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 121 



pal Church, but his religion was broader than the doctrines 
of any sect. He was the people's pastor — not because they 
always understood him, or observed his teachings; but be- 
cause he struggled for their spiritual uplifting without re- 
gard to their own faith, and without expectations of their 
assistance in the mere construction of formal church or- 
ganization. It was enough for him if he developed the 
love or admiration of Christ-like traits: the church and its 
machinery were secondary and trivial matters. 

"Far behind all the pompous ceremonials and complex 
machinery of church governments that have grown into ex- 
istence since the day when Jesus of Nazareth hung upon 
the brutal Roman cross, this pastor of the people saw the 
simple but neglected truth that the Savior, in his life as 
well as his teachings, was the absolute antithesis of the 
vanity and pride which today, as in all other ages, afflict 
the human race in churches aud out of them. His whole 
life was spent in gently preaching against the silly vanity 
which makes one man feel superior to his brother because 
he has more money, a keener brain, a more prominent posi- 
tion, or a longer pedigree; which makes one woman deal 
haughtily with her sister if the latter be of lower worldly 
station and not an 'equal' in the code of social require- 
ments; which makes the very children in the schools look 
down with contempt upon the unfortunate youngster not at- 
tired in whatever standard of excellence may at the time 
be expected in child-life. 

"Against these feelings of incipient arrogance, which 
are the foundations of all the worst features of the 'rank, 
caste and aristocracy' to which he objected, Mr. Peirce con- 
tinually preached. With him Jesus was 'the carpenter!' 
The Savior was a laborer — not merely a brain- worker — 



122 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



but a hand-worker like the very humblest who earu their 
bread by muscular effort. Mr. Peirce was a prophet who 
saw far into the centuries yet to come and who, like older 
prophets, warned the people against all those myriad forms 
of pride and vanity that compel the human race to exist in 
warring units or in groups — man against man, religion 
against religion,nation against nation — instead ox that uni- 
versal brotherhood of mutually helpful and tolerant as- 
sistance which is the only real solution of Christ's teachings. 

"It was this faith in the benefits of fraternal relations 
that caused Mr. Peirce to occupy the anomalous position of 
a minister of the Gospel who was also an ardent advocate 
of the various fraternal societies, in which he was au active 
member. He regarded these societies as aids, not hincler- 
ances, in the development of what he considered the in- 
most spirit of Christianity. His mind was keen and it is 
impossible that he did not clearly perceive the many shams, 
the inordinate vanity, and the absurd pride which mar the 
brotherhood of the societies just as they mar social rela- 
tions everywhere. He saw these things, but he saw also 
that the societies in bringing men into frequent contact 
under relations that stimulated better thoughts were de- 
veloping slowly the real brotherhood that Christ meant, 
even though the forms of brotherhood now in existence 
were such as would make the angels weep. 

"Believing implicitly in this spirit of brotherhood and 
its obligations of duty to one another, and believing that 
these constituted the most essential features of the Bible 
and of his Savior's teachings, Mr. Peirce spent his life in 
trying to impress his faith upon those who surrounded 
him. Not aggressively or intolerantly, for a gentler soul 
never lived. But constantly — day by day, and hour by 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 123 



hour — lie was at his chosen work of trying to make the 
people see, as he could see, the simple but sublime truth 
that genuine Christianity means brotherly love in a form 
more pure and perfect than ever existed among the brothers 
of any family on earth. He studied the Scriptures day by 
day — usually in the original tongues of Hebrew and Greek- 
for he was a fine scholar. He was continually searching 
for and collecting those portions which best presented his 
great central thought of Christian brotherhood and humil- 
ity. These he often re-arranged into tracts which he pub- 
lished himself and issued gratuitously for the good they 
might do. He labored in this as in all his other work of 
ministering to the children, without money and without 
price. Judge Williams once remarked, years ago, 'Mr. 
Peirce is the only man whom I know that is not concerned 
about the dollar.' His tracts usually comprised selections 
from the Bible grouped to express his meaning and he 
rarely interjected his own words or allowed his name to be 
connected with them. He was telling the people what God 
thinks of their doings, and he wanted the words to come 
from God and not from him. Gently, day by day, he held 
up before them the Savior's character of loving kindness 
and told them to be like unto Him; to beware of greedy 
ambition and false pride in all forms of success, from the 
lust for power to the pride w T hich apes humility; to remem- 
ber that Jesus, w r ith all his goodness, was not great as 
greatness is measured today. 

"And what good did it all do ? It is not for us to judge. 
It is something good, however, that Mr. Peirce has lived 
among us and worked for us even if we do not seriously 
try to follow him or his great Leader. The purity of his 
life and the unvarying patience w r ith which he regarded all 



124 ; THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



possible forms of misconduct that came under his observa- 
tion or within his knowledge, are worth much to us all if 
we would only consider them. If we only would ! Why, 
his treatment of the weather was in itself a w 7 hole library 
of sermons; for never in many long years did this man who 
sought the good in life and not the evil —never did he have 
one word to say against the capricious California weather, 
as changeable as the waves of the sea, and as unexpected in 
its developments as the whims of a child. It w r as enough 
for Mr. Peirce that God sent the weather, and he accepted 
it complacently, hot or cold, moist or dry, north wind 
or south. It w r as all the same, for it was all good 
weather. There is something in this man's life that ought 
to give to all of us who knew him higher ideals. For this 
world is exactly w r hat we collectively make it. It is a hell 
or a heaven as we approach in our own natures to devils or 
angels. Not until we all conceive some of the higher ideals 
that Mr. Peirce held before us will we have any better 
world to live in." 

Such was the life and character of the Reverend Charles 
Caleb Peirce. I have not sought to deify him. He had 
his faults: who that is human has none? But if such a 
life as his was lived in vain, then was Christ Himself a 
failure, and the promise of immortality, which has been 
humanity's beacon of Hope ever since the wondrous Star of 
Bethlehem named in the Eastern sky nineteen centuries 
ago, is but a will-o'-the-wisp that for a time may glitter 
and delude, only to fade as the light of a meteor when 
mankind, its dupes, shall sink into nothingness. 
The End. 



APPENDIX. 

Records of the Reverend C. C, Petrce, fife. 

BAPTISMS. 

First Christening; John and Eliza McGraw, Kelsey, June 7. 1881. 
kast Christening: Alta, daughter of Thomas and Ada Hardy, Plaeer- 
ville, Feb. 22, 1903. 
Total number of christenings, 772, 

complete marriage records. 

18§T. 
April 25, Plaeerville, William McOormick and Margaret McHuglu 
June 20, Plaeerville, Peter Fleming and Elizabeth Jackson Jones. 

1862, 
October 1, Plaeerville, Christopher W. Hartsough and Mary L. Wheeler. 

1863. 
March 18, El Dorado, John Baldy and Elizabeth F» Wallace. 
April 1, Ranch, John Carney and Katherine F. Edwards. 
July 5, Plaeerville, Wm. H. Mead and Mary Ann Vincent. 
July 8, El Dorado, William N. Muffly and Cornelia E. Pringle. 
July 16, Plaeerville, Elon Dunlap and Sarah C. Knight* 
July 20, Coloma, George W. Kinney and Elizabeth Mitchell. 
September 9, lone, Amador Co,, Henry A. Cbace and Charlotte E. Waite* 
October 15, Plaeerville, James A. Corey and Sarah Rockwell. 
November 20, Coloma, Paul Mitchell and Mary Ann Trimble. 
December 17, 9-Mile House, Wm. J. Berry and Martha A. Coats. 
December 30, Coloma, James R, Burlington and Mary C. Henry. 

1861, 
January 19, Smith's Flat, Stewart Anderson and Sarah Murphy, 
January 28, Georgetown, Benj. F. Shepherd and Fannie A. Berry. 
March 2, Plaeerville, John C. Johnson and Onoria De Da Torree. 
April 14, Diamond Springs, Robert B. McBride and Sarah D. Pringle* 
June 9, Diamond Springs, Julius D. Jackson and Mary A, Coulter. 
June 28, Plaeerville, Amos M. Freeman and Emma Keefer. 
September 20, Coloma, Wm. J. Forbes and Mary C. Mitchell. 
September 29, Rose Springs, Andrew J. Hare and Ella Hodgkins, 



126 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEHEND C. C. FEIKCE 



October 20, Morse's Carson Road, Kirke W.Taylor and Emily M.Sherman. 
Novembers, Coloma, Oliver Merrill and Emma L. Trimble, 
December 25, Coloma, Elias Weller and Kate Borland. 
December 28, Georgetown, Hiram H. Fuller and Martha Hitchins. 
December 29 3 Smith's Flat, Wm, P. Carpender and Ellen Evans. 

1865. 
January 18, Placerville, Jesse Yarnall and Susie C. Caystile. 
March 13, Placerville, James S. Trowbridge and Angle J. Prothers, 
March 2*9, Placerville, Nicholas Stoffils and Elizabeth Nelson. 
April 20, Placerville, Philip Teare and Annie McBoyle, 
May 10, Placerville, James Anderson and Laura Rucker. 
September 3, Smith's Flat, John Bradshaw and Lucy M. J. Menafee. 

1866. 
January 1, Placerville, Daniel W. Chichester and Sarah L, Young. 
January 4, Placerville, Tames Durham and Harriet A. Ray. 
March 7, Placerville, James Akins and Frances Wax. 
March 7, Placerville. William Newton and Amelia Knopf. 
March 29, Smith's Flat, Isaac Newton Wilson and Eliza Manning, 
April 12, Placerville, Thomas Alderson and Agnes Blair. 
May 6, Placerville, John S. Fox and Emily A. Pelt on 
May 20, Middletown, Merritt H. Torrance and Alice Jane Clifton, 
July 23, Placerville, John E. Kunkler and Laura E. Duden. 

1867. 
February 3, Placerville, Mat C. Metzler and Caroline Walker. 
April 28, Placerville, Frederick Wm. Myer and Fredericka Delmeyer, 
April 30, Placerville, Henry Ollin and Laura Morgan. 
July 17, Placerville, Albert Rodemarkand Emma Rhein. 
August 24, Placerville, Robert Oliver Turnbull and Cornelia Ellen Pew. 
August 28, Placerville, Charles Hogan and Clara Allen. 
September 10, Smith's Flat, William Woodward and Emma Saul, 
October 2, Placerville, Charles H. Leifried and Flora Stout. 
October 27, Placerville, John P. Cleese and Mary Ann Pflum. 
November 23, Placerville, Herman Echegelmier and Mary Uhlenkamp. 
November 28, James T. Weymouth and Annie E. Richards, 
December 18, near Placerville, Jacob Keber and Hattie Krahner. 
Docember 15, Placerville, Robert P. Fraser and Anna M. Estey. 

1868. 
January 7, Coloma, William H. Taylor and Eliza SchiefFer. 
February 19, Placerville, Michael Mayer and Caroline Zimmerman. 
February 20, Coloma, Charles F. Gray and Flizabeth Cadv. 



THE LIFE &ND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 127 



April 5, Placerville, Richard B. White and Mary Jane Maynard. 
April 13, Placerville, Daniel Fisher and Charlotte Krahner. 
May 1. Placerville, Samuel Morehead and Alice Morgan. 
May 7, Placerville, Charles A. Bauer and Fredericka Lauer. 
May 28, Placerville, Albert Fleming and Libby Higgins. 
June 26, Placerville, Henry Drier and Margaret Shaw, 
July 14, Placerville, Albert Charles and Josephine Rudstat. 
September 23, Placerville, August Koletske and Louisa Wagner. 
December 4, Placerville, John W. Williams and Martha Jane McGee. 

1869. 
March 11, Smith's Flat, Frederick Benfeldt and Charlotte B. Thomas. 
July 6, Placerville, James D, McMurry and Mary Davis. 
August 23, Placerville, George Nelson and Virginia M, Knighton. 
August 24, Irish Creek, Andrew J. Kennedy and Mary A. Lusk. 
October 19, near Placerville, Michael Sexton and Sarah F. Toombs. 
December 1, Bear Creek, Adam M. Melchoirand Annie Grover. 
December 4, Logtown, David Williams and Augusta Smith. 
December 14, near Placerville, Charles W. Childs and Ellen Hardie. 

1870, 
January 12, Cosumnes Tp., John Schneider, Jr., and Maria Calenberg. 
February 16, Placerville, Christopher Harms and Elizabeth Gray. 
June 29, Oak Hill, Green Fields and Frances A. King, 
July 8, Placerville, Joseph Noe and Clara Ehat. 

July 21, Spanish Hill, Joseph Blacklock and Lelia Amanda Taylor. 
August 2, Placerville. John Kern and Louisa Rhein. 
October 9, Pleasant Valley, Gilman K. Smith andEvaline J. York. 
December 15, Fort Jim, Hiram Little and Christine Southard. 

1871. 
January 15, Cold Springs, Joseph Dobson and Eliza Jane Poteet. 
February 12, Cold Springs, John M. Lotta and Sophia Miller. 
April 5, Placerville. Ralph J. Van Voorhees and Jennie Kirk. 
April 26, Placerville, William Wagner and Lizzie Ceder. 
May 30, Placerville, Anselmo Campini and Mari Cinsalascio. 
June, Placerville, Samuel D. Colburn and Curtis, 

July 1, Middle town, Stephen Cocking and Minnie Clifton. 
October 16, Placerville, Dewitt C. Benjamin and Mary B. Grover. 
October 25, Brownsville, Robert L. Whitacre and Mary Jane Easton. 
November 16, Kelsey Tp., Harvey Kelley and Mary Ann Eliza Martin. 



128 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. TEIBGE 



1872.- 
February To, Cold Springs, George A, Loomis and Sarah Lucas. 
February 22, Diamond Springs Tp, James H. Berry and Hannah I. Clapp% 
March 31, Cold Springs, John Wesley K^llough and Elizabeth F. Poteetv 
June 30, Georgetown, George Goodpastor and Josephine Harris. 
July 3, Coloma, J. T,-Preddy and Maggie Mahler 
July 4, Placerville, Garrett J. Young a-nd Jane Reese. 
July '7, Georgetown, Joseph Whitesides and Elizabeth Martha, Gibbs. 
August 8, Cold Springs, John S., Moore and Lydia L. Bowser. 
September* 18, Placerville, Ferdinand Wertz and Elizabeth Motzer. 
September 22, Placerville, John Hill Combellack and Mary Selena James, 

1873, 
January 2, Jayhawk, Hans Thomsen and Wilhelmina E. TThlehkamp, 
January 8,.Plaeerville, Anthony Smith and Mary Ann Leslie. 
April 30, Eight mile, Win. H, McGregor and Modest Medora Chapman- 
May 18, Placerville ; Seneca Davis and l£ate C, Cannon. 
September 9, near Placerville, Samuel A, Wolfe and Bertha Krahner. 
October 12, White Oak Tp., Archibald R Bosquitand Sarah C. Gray. 
November 12, Georgia Slide, Theodore Schlenschen and Addie Holmes. 
December 18, Pleasant Valley, George W. Phillips and Adelaide Burns, 

1871. 
March 19. Gold Hill. John KJrkpatrick and Elizabeth Kesseh'ing. 
March 26, Placerville, Henry Stroup and Carrie I. Miles. 
April 22, Placerville, Frederick Giamboni and Josephine Sa-rtori. 
May 2", Deer Valley? John T, Coali and Adelaide Uhlenkamp. 
May 31, Placerville, James P, Creighton and Mary Isedeene Taylor. 
August 5, Shingle Springs, Marion S. Granger and Mary Eleanor Heron, 
August 15? Pleasallt Valley, William Webb and Mattie E. Morris. 
November 26, Placerville, Joseph Holcomb and Elizabeth Cleveland. 
December 16, Latrobe, George Henry Myers and Willietta T. Bryant. 
December 16, Latrobe, William Newman and Amelia M. G. Miller. 
December 25, S^Mile Ranch, Morris G. Bradley and Mary Emma Gregory. 

1875. 
February 16, Missouri Flat, Robert C. Gilbert and Sarah Bryan. 
February 20, White Oak Tp., Francis M. Coval and Susan E. Spencer. 
March 3, 6-Mile House, Egbert L. Wilson and Mary California Thaler. 
March 25, Gray's Flat, John L. Houx and Mary Viola Gray. 
April 29, near Placerville, William Henry Secombe and Mary J. Pascoe. 
April 29, El Dorado, James Caleb Cutler and Prances Helen Yeadon. 
Mav 1, Missouri Flat, Charles Allen Worth and Mary C. Burns. 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 129 



May 19, Placerville, Ferdinand L. Van De Mark and Ella M. Wonderlich. 
May 26, El Dorado, Charles Henry Pavey and Ida Kate Morrelle. 
June 14, Placerville, Gilbert Hicks and Magdalena Hunger. 
June 22, near Shingle Springs, Henry Goodsell, Jr. and Minnie A.Bennett. 
November 21, Placerville, Richard Maynayd and Elizabeth P. Sargent. 
December 23, Placerville, Francis Teague and Ellen E. Sampson. 

1876. 
January 19, Placerville, Benj. D. Mason and Elizabeth T. Zimmerman. 
January 25, Smith's Flat, Seth Gibson Beach and Lelia Blacklock. 
February 3, near Pleasant Valley, Frank H. Rigby and Elizabeth Clapp. 
February 20, Cold Springs, John S. Miller and L6uisa Wax. 
Morch 1, near Shingle Springs, Alonzo E. Graham and Agnes Bell. 
March 1, Wisconsin Flat, George Gregory and Alma Cornelius. 
April 19, near Pleasant Valley, Thos. H. Young and Flora A. Williams. 
May 19, Plymouth, Amador Co., John F. Davis and Lillie Hill. 
June 19, Placerville, Henry Yarick and Mrs. Emeline Whitaker. 
July 2, Whiterock, James Loten Forbes and Ellen J. Toombs. 
July 8, near Diamond Springs, Carl J. Hermann and Glendora B.Morrill. 
July 12, near Middletown, Andrew J.Christie and Anne E.B. Wentworth. 
July 15, Placerville, Hiram Edwin Blakeley and Barbara M. Scott. 
July 20, near Pleasant Valley, Henry E. Richardson and Georgia Brewer. 
July 23, Coon Hollow, William Weyman and Annette Wilton Monson. 
September 14, Deer Valley, John S. WulfTand Annie C. Smith. 
September 17, Missouri Flat, John Brown and Jennie Bowman. 
September 20, Placerville, Alexander Wilson Lee and Virginia Bean. 
September 20, Placerville, Michael Bergantz and Susan Miller. 
November 13, Placerville, William H. Hooper and Emma Davis. 
November 26, Placerville, Clarence E. Duden and Sarah Jane Dugan. 
December 12, near Shingle Springs, Nicholas Gafney and Ellen Eagen. 
December 25, Coloma, Albert Bertelsen and Jane Gray. 

187". 
January 1, Placerville, Thomas E. Williams and Mary Ann Reese. 
January 15, Placerville, Jacob Mehren and Martha Gale. 
February 11, Placerville, Shelley Inch and Carrie Ames. 
February 20, near Gold Hill, Francis J. Veerkamp and Alice Wagner. 
February 22, Placerville, Liberty P. M. Triplet! and Ellen E. Brockway 
February 28, El Dorado, George J. Brown and Artie Hammell. 
March 15, Five-Mile House, Arthur Williams and Emily J. Blakeley. 
April 18, Missouri Flat, George W. Hanna and Sarah Palmer. 
May 3, smith's Flat, James MoCrindle and Emma Sullivan. 



130 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



May 8, Plaeerville, Andrew Harris and Lillie Gay. 
May 20, El Dorado, John P. Bissell and Sarah Alice Stevens n. 
June5, near Pleasant Valley, Louis Reno and Magdalena Boarmann. 
July 3, Missouri Flat, Thomas G. Worth and Lettie M. Gilbert. 
July 5, Plaeerville, William H. Harmman and Rosa A. \,cKay. 
July 14, Placerville ; Cleveland Pilsbury and Emma Isler. 
September 9, Plaeerville, John H, Fuller and Anna M. Coombs. 
September 9, Plaeerville, Burdis C. Fisher and Nancy Jane Fuller. 
October 15, Plaeerville, James M. Lillie and Amelia Slayback. 
November 22, Pacific House, Morgan C, Nordyke and Jennie P. Dobson , 
December 23, Plaeerville, Charles Sampson and Emma Boyse. 
December 25, Plaeerville, Charles Sibeck and Caroline Craddock. 

1878. 
January 9, El Dorado, John S. Drury and Catharine Jane Allen. 
February 3, Plaeerville, William H. Triplett and Emma M. Coombs. 
March 21, Plaeerville, Edward H. Duthman and Martha M. Wise. 
March 25, Diamond Springs, Ludwig R. Motzer and Alice J.Richardson. 
April 21, Plaeerville, James J, Blakie and Matilda Thompson. 
May 19, El Dorado, James Bullard and Sarah Allen. 
July 1, Smith's Flat, William J. Ralph and Ella May Bennett. 
September 1, Diamond Springs, Wm. Wiltse, Jr,and Sarah L. Carpenter. 
September 15, Plaeerville, Ellison L. Crawford and Dora Jones. 
September 17, Uniontown, George W. Yount and Lucy H. Lohry, 
October 5, Webber Hill, James H. Duncan and Martha A. Maynard. 
October 17, Missouri Flat, Charles W. Geoble and Agnes S. Burns. 
October 27, Spanish Flat, John W. Reese and Henrietta C. Roelke. 
October 31, Hogan's Ranch, James E.Dean and Louisa (Hogan)Eggleston. 
November 7, El Dorado, George Rust and Ellen Donhoe. 
November 16, Plaeerville, William Carroll and Lucy Kavanaugh. 
November 20, Plaeerville, Frank Freeman and Emma Alderson. 
November 30, Plaeerville, Benjamin Sherwood and Mary E. Sherwood . 

1879. 
January 1, Plaeerville, Milo H. Oldfield and Harriet Ann Johnson. 
January 16, near Latrobe, John Woodward and Alice Welch. 
January 19, Plaeerville, Pasquale Varozza and Margaret Capilla. 
February 18, Prospect Flat, George W. Steppe and Katie Rowland. 
March 13, Plaeerville, James H. Blakeley and Lida Ann Crook. 
July 3, Plaeerville, William G. Henson and Jennie Dick. 
October 29, Plaeerville, Charles M. Fitzgerald and Annie B. Veach. 
November 23, Plaeerville, Michael Mayer and Mary Vickery. 



THE LIFE A.XD WORK OF THE REVEREND C. 0. t»EIRCE 13 L 



I8.sa 

January 3L Kelsey, John Sipp and Augusta Sersnop, 

March 1L, Shingle Springs, Daniel T. Hall and Lizzie Sims, 

April 11; Oak Hill, John Mell and Mary Smith. 

April 18, Placerville, Newton J. McCumsey and Emma Evans. 

May 5, Placerville, Alphonso I. Lewright and Lelia Gale, 

June 2, Pi ^erville, Albion P. Hall and E la Ling, 

July 4, Whiterock, Thomas Swansborough and Mary L. Toombs. 

July 18, Placerville, Francis Pascoe and Kate Kiene. 

August 30, Placerville, Philander M. Webster and Katerina Strieker. 

September 25, Smith's Flat, James G. Campini and Louisa M. Siviri. 

October 31, El Dorado, Stephen Cocking and Louisa Dora Norton. 

November 6, Placerville, J. Philip Pedroni and Rosa Ze Liner. 

November 24, French Creek, Harlow Johnson and Emma Crowther. 

188L 
January 26, Placerville, Marcus P. Bennett and Mary C. Anderson, 
February 19, Middletown, William Oates and Mary J. Clark. 
February 27, Placerville, Jesse C. Fruchey and Sarah J. Young. 
April 3, Placerville, Wendell P. Hammon and Gussie M. Kenney, 
April 27, Salmon Falls, David Grant and Mary A. E. Backrath. 
August 8, near 12-Mile House, John Dickson and Mary Butler, 
September 8, Salmon Falls, Miner Adelbert Miller and Mary L. Gains. 
October 18, Pacific House, Marco Marchini and Rachel Kesselring. 
October 20, near Uniontown, James D. Borland and Annie E. Hume. 
November 15, Placerville, Ira Albert Fouch and Mary Thompson. 
November 28, near Latrobe, James L. E. Cothrin and Mary E Welch. 
December 12, Kelsey, Jerry Callan and Agnes McGraw. 

1882. 
March 2. Kelsey, William W. Roberts and Maggie McGraw. 
March 8, Placerville, Charles W. .Albright and Etta Morse. 
March 12, Smith's Flat, Henry Brightman and Philura Urley, 
March 13, Carson Creek, William D. Johnson and Philenia Lyons. 
May 12, Placerville, Llewyllyn Hansen Smith and Delia McClellan. 
May 21, Whiterock, John Reese and Jane Swansborough. 
June 24, Placerville, Brio e E. Carter and Maggie Shaw. 
September 6, Placerville, Stephen Jeffrey and Maggie Driscoll. 
September 24, Diamond Spring, William A.Kramp and Christina Theisen. 
October 8, Placerville, William W. Stone and Olivine A. Gignac. 
October 15, Whiterock, Thomas H. Ralph and Mary Lowse. 



132 THE LIE2T AND WORK OF THE RETERETO €. €. TEWCM 



November 26, Kelsey Tp., James Moon and Eliza Kelly. 
December 7, near Placerville, Thomas Clifton and Anna MeCumsey, 
December 11, Placerville, John H. Hefl'ren and Emma C Kies. 
December 25, Smith's Flat, Samuel Taylor and Martha Murdock. 

1883. 
January 18, Coloma, David Hume and Edith W. Vernon. 
March 25. El Dorado, Lionel Battersby and Margaret Johnson. 
April 10, Six-Mile House, George H. D. Myers and Sarah Newell. 
April 10, Six-Mile House, Joseph Rupley and Mary Lavina Olsen. 
May 29, near Uniontown, Austin W, Gregg and Erne B. Cromwell. 
June 4, Springfield mine, Clay Cantrell and Hattie Cotton. 
June 6, Placerville, Edwin Christian and Lettie Fountain. 
June 30, Placerville, William Lot Nightingale and Myra Porter. 
July 17, Middletown, Orlando Kitto and Emma E. Coombs. 
July 22, Placerville, Charles H. Myers and Lueinda Anderson. 
September 25,Placerville, Meinrad A.Rohrer and Edith LA 7 anderheyden, 
Octobers, in Salmon Falls Tp , James Crooks and Sarah E, Ciooks. 
October 18, Placerville, Christian T. Uhlenkamp and Elizabeth A.WulfL 
November 20, Deer Valley, Geo. Julius Pilliken and Lorretta E. Smith 
December 5, Placerville, Lewis C, Breen and Alice Tallman. 
December 20, Carson Creek, Eugene M. Oakley and Martha E. Saul. 
December 23, Placerville, George T. McNaughten and Jennie Stowers. 

1884. 
February 14, Placerville, Frederick Geibenhain and Mary Vandenberg. 
March 23, Garden Valley, Frank M. Towne and Annie B. Fox. 
April 8, near Placerville, Arizona E. Chapman and Emma Fales. 
April 29, Placerville, John G. Woods and Mary L. Showers. 
April 30, El Dorado, Edward F. Pfund and Mattie K. Knisely. 
May 11, Placerville, Michael Mayer and Maria Vickery. 
May 28, Coloma Tp,, William Veerkamp and Sarah McKay. 
June 1, Placerville, John Edward Brown and Dorotny Neiber. 
June 9, Placerville, Thomas Oswald Hardie and Ada May Irwin. 
August 26, Webber Bridge, George Williamson and Matilda Dunker. 
September 22, Latrobe, Nathan L. Bachman and Elizabeth C. Miller. 
December 7, Middletown, James Henry Oates and Anna Maria Clark. 
December 8, Diamond Springs, Barnhard Schmittgen and Mr*. A.Wiss 
December 23, Michigan Bar, Nathan T. Carpenter and Minta F. Lowe. 
December 25, Smith's Flat, Charles M. Henson and Maggie Potts. 
December 25, Placerville, George F. Willington and Cora Maynard. 
December 31, Latrobe, William A. Perdue and Emma Reibsam. 



THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 133 



1885. 
January 18, Reservoir Hill, William Davis Fowke and Lnella Martin. 
May 6, Diamond Springs, Htmry G. Sanborn and Agnes Jean Bryant. 
May 7, Placerviile, Charles W. Dugan and Mattie Hanley. 
June 21, El Dorado, Eli Day Clark and Hattie Fitzgibbons. 
July 16, Placerviile, Frank Williamson and Annie McLaughlin. 
September 20, Placerviile, William F.Fairchild andFrankie A.Plumado 
December 22, Logtown, Lewis Jenkins and Virginia Hill. 
December 30, El Dorado, Hugh N. Smith and Annie M. Stackpole- 

1886. 
February 18, Deer Valley, Delmont Blair and Mary Ellen Smith. 
March 23, Placerviile, Frederick Van Vleit and Evalyn Nugent, 
April 28, El Dorado, John Adolphus Fisher and Mary C. Knisely 
May 9, Oak Hill, Edward E. Twitchell and Hannah Jeannette Hoyt. 
June 7, Placerviile, Willis Clark Baker and Maggie Walsh. 
August 19, Springfield, Charles Baumgardner and Lenna Cotton. 
September 14, Placerviile, Allen H. Philbrook and Mary A. Humphreys. 
September 21, Green Valley, Alymer Pelton and Calista I. Harvey. 
September 23, Deer Valley, Joseph Etzel and Agnes Fleming. 
October 14, Deer Valley, Henry E. Beaumont and Pauline M. Dunker. 
October 21, Springfield, William David Cotton and Mary E. Buys. 
October 24, Blair's District, Silas Clarence Larsen and Zadie Davey. 
November 10, near Clarksville, William H. Harvey, and Grace M.Bali. 
December 8. Sportsman's Hall, Nelson E. Butler and Cora E. Hogan. 
December 27, Placerviile, Geo. T. W. Hill and Jennie Brown. 

1887. 
January 9, Spanish Flat. John E. Hollingsworth and May Smith. 
March 13, El Dorado, James W. Paul and Lillian E. Roussin. 
April 11, Diamond Springs I p., John Wall and Nettie Eggleston. 
July 27, in Lotus, Herbert A. Wood and Nellie A. Davies. 
August 10, in Placerviile, John E, Turnboo and Katie Stein. 
September 8, at Spanish Flat, Charles Coombs and Laura Lewis. 
September 10, in Placerviile, John H. Skaggs and Mrs. Lizzie Waggoner. 
Nov. 13, in Placerviile, Wm. A, Giffin and Vina P. Foot 
Nov. 22, in Placerviile, Albert L. Kramp and Etta Barlow; 

1888. 
Feb. 14, in Latrobe, Carl A. Carsten and Ella Riebsam 
Mar. 25, in Diamond Springs, Walter D. Carpenter and Jennie Gafney. 
May 23, in White Oak Tp., Chas. A. Loraine and Julia A. Rust. 



184 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 



August 15,at Glen Alpine, Geo. \V. Pierce, Jr. and Susan M. Gilmore. 
Oct. 31, in El Dorado, Alfred C. Hammell and Sarah E Williams. 
December 2, Diamond Springs, Robert E. Marshall and Maggie E. Springer. 
December 23, Placerville, Austin Votaw and Bertha Celian Rice. 

1889. 
January 13, Six-Mile House, Arminio J. Celio and Emma Myers. 
January 13, Placerville, Thos. Rust and Rosie Katherine Wubbena. 
February 10, Lotus, Alva Charles Marcees and Sarah P; Smith. 
February 20, Placerville, William A. Hampton and Mary Hunger. 
February 26, Placerville, John Lane and Mrs. Caroline Metzier. 
March 4, Coloma, Edwin W. Glassman and Jean M. Weller. 
March 12, Placerville, Lewis H. Pratt and Josephine Hofmeister. 
May 15, El Dorado, Roger El Dorado Sherman and Zay E. Stackpole. 
May 26, El Dorado, Joseph Gardiner and Annie Cocking, 
May 27, Placerville, Parker Aaron Brown and Carrie Best. 
July 8, Kelsey, August Seisnop and Mary E. Lawyer. 
July 8, Springfield, Joseph Stanley and Emma Donohoe. 
Sept. 18, Spanish Dry Diggings, Wm. E.J.BaughmanandH.A.Buckmam 
September 26, near Georgetown, Anton P. Grasser and M. McCollough. 
October 12, Placerville, James Anderson and Grace Pratt, 
November 17, Placerville, Thos. James Potts and Lucy Smith. 
December 8, Placerville, John Chancey Beach and Alice Journey. 
December 19,Lotus, Ralph Louis Col well and Hattie Morris. 
December 30, near Garden Valley, Benj. Curry and C. M, Hackenmoller. 

1890. 
January 1, Placerville, Otis L. Webster and Druscilla Berry. 
February 5, Placerville, Lewns Strieker and Eugenia Zeisz. 
April 15, Placerville, George Albert Luxom and Nellie Winchell. 
June 19, near Newtown, William Potts and Dora Rafetto. 
June 24, Coloma, William Fred Mahler and Emma L. De Lory. 
July 19, at Reservoir Hill, Asa W. Daniels and Mida E. Camp. 
July 23, in Smith's Flat, Joseph Rupley and Dora Bell Hen wood. 
Aug. 13, in Placerville, Virgil Valentine Willis and Laura A. Staples. 
Aug. 19, in Placerville, Walter Henry Coombes and Sadie Ferguson. 
Sept. 2, in Placerville. Edward B. Morris and Birdie M. Winchell. 
October 1, in El Dorado, De Witt C. Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Moss. 
November 11, in Placerville, Charles G. Toombs and Caroline Rodemark 
November 24, in Placerville, Walter E. Miller and Mamie H.Shoemaker. 
December 23, in Deer Valley, George M. Skinner and Anna A. Smith 



TEE LIEE &NJD WORK OF THE REVEREND C. 0. fc&IttCE 135 



^December 24, in Placerville, Charles J.Green and Louisa J, Rodemark. 
December 25, at French Creek, Peter F. Herringerand Ella D.Brindupky. 
December 27, in Placerville, William Ennor and Eliza Jane Higgiris. 
December 31, in Green Valley, Marcus Starbuck and Nettie Russell, 

1891. 
April 16, at Reservoir Hill, Charles W. Maiiin and Lizzie Ward. 
April 30, near Gold Hill, Oliver F. Golden and Callie L. Crawford. 
May 11, in Placerville, George Spencer Ames and Minnie A. Perkins. 
June 3, in Placerville, Arthur J. Mahler and Carrie R. Pratt. 
June 3, in Shingle Springs, Thomas H. White and Susie Fitzgerald. 
August 28, at Spanish Flat, Preston W. Smith and Sophia E. Roelke. 
Sept. 1, in Green Valley, John Fleming and Louisa J. Rust. 
October 15, at Diamond Mills, Charles F. Bryant and Isabella J. Ure. 
November 30, at Pilot Hill* John P. Watkins and Catherine Grover. 
December 5, in Oak Hill Dist., Horatio B. McCoy and Mabel Dena Voss. 
December 23, in Placerville. George W» Hamilton and Ella Jean Dimon. 
December 25, in Placerville, Michael Pfeifer and Lizzie O'Neil. 
December 30, at Missouri Flat, William H. Shry and Margaret Burns. 
December 30, in Blair's Dist., Thomas A. Hartwick and Maud L» Hart. 

1892. 
January 5, Placerville, Alexander Stronach and Mrs C> McBeth. 
February 15, Placerville. James Vandergrift and Ella Jenkinson, 
April 7, Carson Creek, Sac. Co., Franklin Riggins and Emily Saul. 
April 10, Placerville, Geo. W. Blakly and Maria Higgins. 
April 30, Gold Hill, Joseph W. E. Veerkamp and Mary A. Marquart. 
May 1, near El Dorado, William E. Richards and Zina Buys. 
May 15, near Shingle Springs, Edward Regan and Lillie Davidson. 
June 1, Oak Hill District, William W. Seeley and Lena Smith. 
June 19, Diamond Springs, Lowden Larkin and Olive B. Morality. 
July 20, near Lotus, William Ehters and Lillie Richardson. 
July 27, Placerville, Wm. A. McKenney and Jennie Berry. 
July 27, Placerville, George Alderson and Clara Dunn. 
November 6, Six-Mile House, VV m. H. Hawkins and Anna Rieber. 
November 30, Placerville, Wm. A. Jones and Emma L. Kern, 
December 21, Placerville, Charles C. Johnson and Ida Herrill. 

1893. 
March 19, Greenville, Charles J. Elliott and Mary E. Fenner. 
April 5, near El Dorado, Charles W. Fox and Hulda Neilson. 
May 6, Placerville, U. S. Grant Blakeley and Ellen Burrows. 
June 1, Whiterock, Harrison McBeth and Mary C. Sexton. 



l'SG THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE REVEREND C. C. FEIRCH 



June 24, Piacerville. Edwin D. Carpenter and Lillie Farns worth* 
July 1. Piacerville, Emerson C\ Alexander and Nettie Voss. 
July 10, Piacerville. John F. Meder and Lydia J. Rudell. 
September 14 r Diamond Springs, George M. IT re and Janet Macfarlane. 
September 22, Pleasant Valley. O. \\ r . Boles and Mrs. A.TwitehelL 
September 27, Shingle Springs, Wm. A. Taylor and Lily J. Orr. 
October 18. near Gold Hill, Albert W. Norris and Ella J. McKay. 
November 29. Deer Valley, Alexander Gumming and A. C. Smith. 
December 12, Deer Valley, James B. Wing and Lottie C. Wulff, 
December 20, near Lotus, Wm H. White and Grace E. Sears. 
December 27, Piacerville, George Rieber and Grace E. Davis. 

1894. 
January 1, in Shingle Springs, Charles Thielbahr and Lily J. Neal. 
January 31. in Piacerville, Charles L. Cain and Sylenda A. Dunstone. 
March 4, Mo&qui to Cany on, Philip Mayhan and Caroline R.Summerfield. 
March 21, in Oak Hill Drst., Harry Nightingale and Mary Best. 
April 1, at Cold Springs, Charles Skinner and Daisy Miller. 
April 4, in Diamond Springs, Louis Reeg and Bertha Barlow. 
April 25, in Georgetown, Frank D. Branch and Lulu Bennett. 
April 30, in Pilot Hill, Frank P. Hold and Ida M Ewing 
May 19, in Piacerville, Eddie L. Wat-kins and Mary White. 
May 30, in Piacerville, Edward M. Chase and Carrie Authorson, 
June 6, in Piacerville, John Alderson and Clara DeLauney. 
June 27, in Newtown Edward M. Christian and Tillie Ferretta. 
July 4 in Pleasant Valley, Walter McKenzie and Aurelia Bruno, 
August 15, at French Creek, George W. Penter and Viola Dugan. 
September 8, at Springfield, Philip Pender and Ella Buys. 
September 26, in Piacerville, Henry H. Degelman and Serena L. Crosby. 
September 27, at Live Oak, Albert Rust and Caroline E. Wulff. 
October 3, at Springfield, Albert A. Hanley and Annie Pfeifer. 
November 7, in Piacerville, Henry H. Debnam and Julia W. Cappleman. 
December 9, near Gold Hill, J. Fred Owen and Lizzie McKay. 
December 24, in Piacerville, Joseph D. French and E. May Fisher. 
December 25, in Piacerville, Kinzey L. Marr ahd Hattie Porter. 

1895. 
January 30, in Deer Valley, Uriah Stroup and Mary C P. Wulff. 
March 4, near Lotus, Joel Page and May Endriss. 
April 10, near Gold Hill, Berthold Veerkamp and Maggie McKay. 
April 18, in Smith's Flat, Fred Elliott and Mary Potts. 



THE LIFE AND WORE OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 137 



April 21, in Placerville, James H. Roberts and Millie Davis. 
April 30, in Shingle Springs, Robert L. Kenney and Jessie Slocum. 
April 30, in Shingle Springs, Edward B. Miller and Hattie Slocum. 
June 2, at Whiterock, Harry T. Sylvester and Alice Hartley. 
June 27, in Placerville, Frank James Goyan and Mary Esther Mayer. 
July 4, in Placerville, William R. Bruner and Minnie K. Jinkerson. 
July 16, at Oak Hill, William Maynard and Addie E. Bell. 
July 17, in Placerville, Charlton Rosier and Clara Murphy. 
September 10, i'n Placerville. Charles 'jillenwaters and Mary J. Martin* 
September 20, in Placerville, Charles Boarman and AlmaBrindupkey. 
October 2, in Placerville, Gus. W. Wulff and MaryM. Zentgraf. 
October 22, in Placerville, Benjamin Robson and Mollie Childress. 
October 27, at Oak Hill, William E. Jones and Mary Fausel. 
November 12, in Placerville, James Dixon and Clara Needles (Vignaut) 
November 28, in Placerville, Geo. W. Donahue and Hannah Alderson. 
December 17, in Placerville, Geo, W. Allen and Emma M. Knights. 
December 17, James E. Elmer and Grace Rotating. 
December 23, in Placerville, Wm. E. Christian and Alice Stivers. 
December 23, at Duroc, Robert F. Meder and Pearl Williams. 
December 23, in Shingle Springs. Geo. M. Slocum and Carrie Stein. 

1896. 
January 30, in Placerville, John C. Porter and Lora Moore. 
March 8, in Green Valley, Lewis A. sprague and Lottie M. Wing. 
March 14, at French Creek, George Greer and Katie Heusner. 
March 18, near Placerville. William H. Albright and Laura Bishop. 
April 8, in Placerville, Henry Decaillet and Mary Lyon. 
April 22, in Smith's Flat, John A. RalTetto and Adelaide Creighton.l 
May 14, at Reservoir Hill, Bert Carpender and Millie Camp. 
June 3, in Placerville, James J. Saederick and Laura F. Lewis. 
August 19, at Oak Hill, Frederick Voss and June Shaw. 
September 20, in Placerville, Leonard E. Houx and Ada E. Burlingham. 
September 24, at Greenville, Robert S. McBeth and Laura Kathan. 
November 5, in Diamond Springs, James Ure and Luella Carpenter. 
December 2, in Kelsey, John McGraw and May S. Peters. 
December 17, in Pleasant Valley, John Scheiber and Bertha Schneider. 
December 24, near Clarksville, Hiram E. Barton and Daisy C. Russi. 

1897. 
January 13, in Placerville, John C. G. Stuart and Estella Bailey. 
January 25, in Placerville, William S. Biggs and Eva Cappleman. 
February 18, in Placerville, Robert J. Murdock and Maggie FoWler. 



138 THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE KEVEREKD C. C. PEIKOE 



February 25, at Greenville, JLee T. Loveless and A.ioe May Stroup 
Apiii 27, in River District, William E. Brewer and De.phine Sweeney. 
May 5, near El Dorado, Perry L. Sherman and Julia A. Koy. 
May 6, in Georgetown Tp., -Jesse L. Lonsway and Ena Thomas. 
May 7, at Big Tunnel, Walter De Varila and Clara M. Hammill. 
June 8, in Placerville, Oscar P. Fitch and Gwendolyne Waddeil. 
June 16, near Georgetown, Robert S. J.errett and Frances E. Schlein. 
July 15, in Big Canyon Dist., Albert C. Wilson and Edith A. Penter. 
August 4, in Placerville, Robert Dodds and Viola May Chi Ids. 
August 15,Diamond Springs Tp., Alexander Aden and Lucinda Springer. 
September 9, at Reservoir Hill, JohnW. Crawford and Mary V. Vineyard. 
September 18, in Placerville, Peter H. Peterson and Mrs. Lavina Gafney. 
September 19, in Placerville, Christopher C.Burston and Emily Fleming. 
September 29, in Placerville, Joseph Skinner and Dora Williams. 
October 24,in Diamond Springs, Alexander llsohn and Clotilde Gianinni, 
October 27, in Placerville, Albert K. Zwisler and Georgie F^ Anderson. 
October 27, in Shingle Springs, Eeonard E. Wing and Lora Wiley. 
November 11, in Placerville, Shelley Inch, Jr., and Maud Nichols. 
November 16, in Placerville, Ernest Zlomke and Olga Engesser. 
November 21. Pleasant Valley, Albert G. Springer and Lo^.is^ Schneider, 
November 29, in Placerville, William Becher and Laura Flower. 
December 4, in Placerville, William C. Fitch and Addle A. Griggs. 

December 15, at French Creek, Adam Miller and Christian Entenmann. 

December 16, in Smith's Flat, Alonzo Sine and Nellie Phelps. 

December 22, in Newtown, Romeo C. Avansino and Adaline A. Ferret ta. 

December 22, in Placerville, Seth H. Jinkerson and Amy E. Leventon. 

December 27, in Placerville, George M. Thomas and May Ciaussen. 

1898. 

January 1, Blair's District, John H. Bendfeldt and Frances Grain. 

February 9, Pleasant Valley, Robert F. Blakeley and Amelia Miller. 

February 22, Granite Hill, Edward Hancock and Jane R. Anable. 

March 24, Green Valley, Philip Barker and RosaDormody. 

April 30, Placerville, Wm. J. Richards and Hattie A. Ayers. 

May 7, Placerville, Charles E. Norris and Lillie Wheeler. 

May 8, near El Dorado, Edwin Greer and Nettie Cotton. 

June 22, near Latrobe, Thomas Nightingale and Fiances Bryant. 

June 30, Diamond Springs, Lewis A. Davies and Clara M. Wilson. 

July 16, Placerville, Henry De Spain and Clara Pfeiffer. 

July 20, El Dorado, John A. Vance and Lucy C. Drew. 



THE LIFE A.NB WORK OF THE HEVEBEttB C. 0. in<:iR(J'£ 139 



August 6, Placerville, Waite F. Rice and Mabel McCumsey, 
August 17, Reservoir Hill, Mark M. Miller and Mary E. Slater. 
'September 21, Placerville, Augustus O. Lang and LuellaNeidecker. 
''September 26, Placerville, Robert K. Hatch and Etna Covah 
October 23, Placerville, Jules Besse and Josie Ghigliottk 
October 23, Placerville, Ferdinand Pierroz and EmmaGhigliotti. 
October 26, Placerville, Asa B, Rodman and Anna Mel choir* 
November 14. near Lotus, James G. Mynsted and Dussolina G. Scolari 
November 16, Coloma, Wm. F. Galleher and Mabel Crocker. 
November 29, Placerville, Herman Brown and Evelyn B, Davis, 
December 11, Placerville, Wm. F. Lupoid and Alice A. Hackley. 
December 22, Taylor mine, Arthur M. Davis and Cora M, Kelley. 
December 25, Diamond Springs, Antonio Pilatti and Nellie Hartley. 

1899, 
January 8, Placei ville, John Skinner and Nellie Davey, 
January 28, Springfield, Theodore C, At wood and Marion Gait. 
February 15, Boulder mine, Harvey Irwin and Mabel Ellen Michael. 
March 22, near Pleasant Valley, Wm* Schneider and Annie M. Polly. 
March 26, in Placerville, John G. Evans and Mamie Clifton. 
April 2, in Cold Spring District, John A, Enos and Carrie Bergantz. 
April 20, in Georgetown, Lewis H. Smith and Maud E, Shepherd. 
May 18, near El Dorado, John Mengel, Jr., and Lena Bumgartner. 
June 21,in Placerville, John Waring and Laura Neah 
June 28, at Cold Springs, Frederick J. Brandon and Mary A. Killough. 
July 2, in Placerville. Joseph Daniel Hacker and Mary Virginia Catto. 
July 3, in Placerville, Edwin M. Fowler and Eva L. Christian, 
July 25, in Lotus, Albert M. Brown and Ella Bates. 
August 10, in Placerville, John William Knapp and Estelle Bumpos. 
August 15, Diamond Springs, George Hansen and Bertha M.Hunsucker. 
August 22, in Placerville, Henry Willis Kates and Lilly May Wemmer. 
September 27. Diamond Station, Samuel J.Stevens and May B. Masterson 
October 10, in Placerville, Lester N. Hancock and Bertha I. Stroup. 
October 23, in Union Dist,, Robert. F. Zeisz and LillaCamp. 
November 1, in Placerville, Albert C. Fleming and Kathleen Maitland 
November 1, in Cold Springs, George J. Miller and HattieH. O'Brien. 
November 4. in Placerville, Joel B. Wood and Lillian Simpson. 
November 4, in Placerville, Joseph Power and Grace Douglass. 
November 28, in Placerville, Nels Markson and Annie Farretta, 
December 5, at Missouri Flat, Henry B. Stroup and Viola Renfro. 



14:0 THE LIFE mV WORK OF TRE REVEREND C. C. FEIFCS? 



December 2)2, in Smith's Plat, Richard White and Etta Saekett. 
December 31, in PlaeervilTe, Ernest H^Scfiatm and Mary fif. Green?, 

1900. 
Jan. 1. in Springfield District, Benj. F. Hiatt and Nellie A. Gait. 
Jan. 3, in Green Valley, Wallace C. McBeth and Agnes M. Russell. 
February n, in Placerville, Walter F. Kirby and Jennie Leachman. 
February 21, in Placerville, William M. Allen and Minnie E. G rover, 
March 10, fn Placerville, Jabish T. Clement and Hattie M. Bates. 
April 7, in Diamond Springs, John W. panties and Hattie S. McNeiL 
April 14, in Placerville, David Marks and Alberta Vandenburg. 
April 25, in Placerville, Edward Stone Blair and Maud Orel Bailey. 
May 1, in Pleasant Valley, George F. Ball and Susan Evalyn Miller. 
June 19. in Placerville, Richard Pitzer and Elizabeth Pallett. 
June 20, in Georgetown Tp., John Martin Buchler and Metta E, Behrs, 
June 27, at Salmon Falls, Frank M. H. Wulffand Ida Walker, 
Juiy 4, in Placerville, David Bristol and May Cotton. 
July 7, at Bryant's Mill, William T. Eaton and Mrs. Minnie Eaton. 
August 7, in El Dorado, Noah Thomas Sturtevant and Lelia May Cutler. 
September 19, in Georgetown, Victor I. Fomi and Mamie E. Vaughn, 
September 23, in Big Canyon, Henry McCuen and Hattie E.Wilson. 
September 25, in Placerville, Ferman E. Hoxie and Bonnie Oakley. 
November 3. in Placerville, Frank Warner Snider and Delia Mynier, 
November 9, in Placerville. George A. Ruoff and Helen Hitchcock 
November 20, in Smith's Flat, George Martin and Elsie J. Schance. 
December 17, in Green Valley, Jacob A. Harris and Addie Mae Coam 

1901. 
January 16, in Placerville, Thomas Conger and Maggie Crowley Hall. 
January 23, Garden Valley, Frank P. Orelli and Marguerite M^ggini. 
February 21, in Placerville, Frederick A. Barss ani Grace A. Blaekiston. 
March 13, in Cedar Grove District, Geo. L. Blakeley and Grace Van Vleck , 
April 16, in Diamond Springs Tp,. Louis C. Pollard and Kdna Flansberg. 
April 23, in Deer Valley, Francis J, Kipp and Carrie Leonora Smith. 
April 2*. in Placerville, Elizabeth H McNamee and Selma J. Hitchcock. 
May 8, in Placerville, Joseph Emil Joergt-r and Mabel Clare Tong. 
July 17, in Placerville, T. Asa Fleck and Clara M. Lake. 
September 8, in Placerville, Wm. Hugh Vaughn and L. Estelle Vignaut. 
November 12. in Clarksville, Wm. E. Waddle and Ella B. Joerger. 
December 4, in Placerv lie, James B. Blair and Erla \V. Witmer. 
December 4. at Six Mile House, Geo. F. Cleese and Lucy Blakeslee. 
December 11, in Placerville. Charles F. Croft and Hattie Me ch ir. 



THE LIFE AND WOEK OF THE REVEREND C. C. PEIRCE 141 



December 16, in Placerville, Sidney Hamblin and Ida I. Sneider 
December 29, Diamond Springs, Frederick Bauer and Barbara Ilsohn. 
December 30, at Georgia Slide, Clinton C. Benjamin and Mary Beattie. 

1902. 
January 15, in Placerville, Peter Fox and Annie H. Barney, 
January 15. in Placerville, Theodore Linn Anderson and Nettie Bamber. 
January 29, in Placerville, Willam F. Montgomery and Dora E. Morton. 
February 12, in Green Valley, William E. Joerger and Nellie Skinner. 
February 15, in Placerville, Charles F. Trask and Polly C. White. 
May 21, at FyrTe, Erwin A. Shulmire and Nellie E. Jones. 
August 20, in Placerville, John Meyer and Anna L. Blick. 
August 29, in Placerville, Egbert T. George and Agnes Bullock. 
September 8, in Placerville, R. L, Honeychurch and Clara M. Dynan. 
November 15, in Placerville, Peter H. Sevey and Christina Mell, 
November 19, in Placerville, Bert U. W 7 entz and Martha Harder. 
November 24, in Placerville, Will C. Wulffand Mae E. Calyer. 
December 16, in Deer Valley.. William Rust and Elizabeth M. Fleming. 
December 17, in Placerville, William H. Tanner and Sadie Hollingshed. 
December 22, in Placerville, Joseph H. Fuller and Lena A. Neal. 

1903. 
January 14, in Placerville, Charles R. Thomas and Mamie Fuller. 
February 16, near El Dorado, Benjamin L. Aymer and Jennie Graham. 



BURIAL SERMONS. 

First funeral sermon: Fred Van Fossen, Placerville, May 22 : 1861. 

Last funeral sermon: Edward Eidinger, Placerville, Feb. 28,1903. 

Total number of burials, 1385. 

4 'In El Dorado county," (up to tie fall of ISfP) " the Rev. C. C. Peirce has 
attended, as officiating minister, at 1200 funerals. His registry shows that 
four died over 90 years, 37 between 80 and 90 years old, and 129 between 
70 and 80 years of age. 

^'The services were in forty cen eteries. The number of burials in each 
locality are: In Placerville. 164; El Dorado, 145: Colcma. 98; Diamond 
Springs, 94; Smithflat, 4^; Georgetown, 44; Shingle Springs. 36; J ay hawk 
Cemetery, 35; Pleasant Valley, 25; Latrobe, 12; Oak Hill, 20: Middletown. 20: 
Clarksville, 19; Kelsey, 19: Bryant's Station, 14; Cold Springs, 12; Rose 
Springs, 12; Missouri Flat, 10; Newtown, 8; Lotus, 8; French Creek. 7; Nash- 
ville, 5; Gold Hill, 4; Green Valley, 4; Webbei Creek, 4. The other 23 were 
in various places." 



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